09/09/2026
ESC Workshop: Transforming European Shooting Sports
The European Shooting Confederation continues to strengthen its role as an open, practical platform for host federations, focusing directly on real-world operational needs. Continuing this work, the ESC has held its inaugural two-day workshop, “How to Organise a Championship”. Bringing together current hosts, future event organisers, and nine industry experts, the event covered 12 core operational topics, marking a decisive shift toward a modern, spectator-focused, and highly coordinated model for continental shooting competitions.
A central focus was elevating the visual presentation of shooting sports. Discussions highlighted the critical role of identity, venue branding, marketing, advertising, and stagecraft in attracting TV audiences and local fans alike.
“The well-being of athletes, coaches, and judges is one of the most important aspects of organising competitions. Equally important is how we present our competitions to the world: from local communities to international audiences. We must focus on creating a bold, recognizable visual identity for our venues,” said Ieva Simsone, General Secretary of the Latvian Shooting Federation.
For the first time, event catering and nutrition were widely discussed. This year showed that catering needs a fresh approach, as the health and well-being of all participants must be a top priority.
Experienced host federations from Hungary, Estonia, and Azerbaijan shared transparent, real case studies, offering honest reflections on past operational missteps alongside practical solutions. For incoming host federations, this open exchange provided immediate value and a clear operational roadmap.
“It is very helpful to hear not only what worked well, but also what went wrong and what others learned from it,” noted Sara Baumgartnerova, General Secretary of the Czech Shooting Federation, hosts of the upcoming European Championship Sh***un U18. “Sharing real experiences helps future teams avoid the same mistakes, prepare better, and feel more confident.”
During the closing panel discussion, Montserrat Pedro, Vice President of the Royal Spanish Shooting Federation, reflected on her federation’s journey after previously hosting an ISSF World Cup and now preparing for the 2027 10m European Championship:
“Planning is everything. We previously hosted an ISSF Championship where luck played a big part, but the ESC provides so much structured support, talent, and energy for our shared development. Now I know we are not alone in this process.”
Summarising the outcomes of the two days, ESC Vice President Vessela Letcheva emphasized the strategic importance of collaborative problem-solving and ongoing modernization.
“It is precisely in meetings like this that we find solutions to our shared challenges,” Letcheva remarked. “By modernizing our sport across every operational direction, what we build today becomes the history and legacy of shooting sports tomorrow.”
Following highly positive feedback from past and future host federations, the ESC has confirmed that the Organisers’ Workshop will be held annually.
