The Jamaica Rifle Association

The first Jamaica Rifle Association was formed in 1896. On the 25th May of that year, there is a press record of a meeting of delegates from the existing parish rifle associations to form such an association to permit rifle shooting throughout the island.  Seven parish associations became affiliated and individuals also became eligible to become members.  Affiliation with the National Rifle Association of Great Britain was subsequently approved.

However, it was not until the 20th of July 1897 that the very first rifle competition was held and this was at the “Bisley” range in St Catherine.  The site of this former range is unknown to present-day riflemen.

Local competitions continued to be shot annually until the idea of sending a rifle team to Bisley in England, accepted even in those days and now recognized as the finest target rifle range in the world.

It was obvious that the best riflemen from the respective islands within the colony to represent the region would have to be selected to compete at this level.  Eventually, in 1902 a team was selected to be sent overseas to compete at Bisley and again in 1908.

Factor in that aircraft travel was not around and team’s travelled from the region to England by boat. A trip which took place in excess of 8 weeks.

Between the years 1908 to 1920 and especially during the war years 1914-1918 not much rifle shooting took place between the colonies.  The enthusiasts of the sport waited patiently following the end of the war and were rewarded in winning the Swettenham Cup for Jamaica in 1920.

This cup was being shot for over 300, 500 and 600 yards between the islands.

Of notable interest, the Jamaica Rifle Association’s winning team also showed as a team member Mrs. G Ross who is believed to be the first female to have represented Jamaica in the sport.