A Tayside Olympic prospect is hoping to get up with the lark to impress selectors for next year’s Games in Rio.
Drew Christie from Auchterhouse impressed the world with his shooting skills as he scooped one of 15 silver medals for Scotland at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games one year ago.
Although the 35-year-old has the freedom to practice at his family business, Auchterhouse Country Sports, Mr Christie is aware every hour counts as Great Britain’s selectors mull over their shooting team during the next 18 months.
So Gavin Christie has applied for permission for his son to fire his gun on the range “outwith the public gaze” for an extra hour at the start of the day, before the centre opens at 10am.
The Christies hope the extra practice time will give the hopeful who placed 66th in last year’s Courier Impact 100 based on his Games success in the skeet event at Barry Buddon 18 months to impress the Olympic selection committee.
Mr Christie senior has applied for a variation of the club’s planning approval until they post their picks.
He stated: “Drew needs to practice for the selection process and this extra hour outwith the public gaze would be invaluable and considerably enhance his prospects of inclusion into the GB Olympic team.
“Drew’s sportsmanship and general conduct during the Commonwealth Games was described by both local and national political figures as a ‘credit to Scotland’ and ‘an excellent ambassador for Angus and a credit to the county.’
“(He is) an example of a young man who has largely achieved this national level in sport on his own as a county we should be supporting people like Drew.”
Planners for Angus Council estimate the Christies will have their application determined by officers before September 21.
The Auchterhouse centre was voted Scotland’s favourite shooting ground and fifth top ground in the UK by readers of Clay Shooting Magazine this year.
Drew hit the headlines in 2000 when he and colleague Derek Stewart were suspended by the Scottish Clay Target Association for wearing kilts.
The clay pigeon shooters were given one-year suspensions for attending an awards banquet in Braveheart Warrior tartan rather than the team’s regulation blue blazer and grey trousers.