Commonwealth Games: They're all setting sights firmly on Glasgow 2014

Published on Wednesday 6 April 2011 13:17

Two unsung heroes of their chosen sport are on course to make an impact at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

They will not sprint to success on the track at Hampden Park or run Edinburgh's Sir Chris Hoy close at the Velodrome, but the Lothians duo could dictate the outcome of some major medal events.

Colin Watson from Leith and Livingston's Gavin Walker will work towards their dream of officiating at target shooting events at Angus venue Barry Buddon.

In the next three years, there's plenty of work to do. The pair have trawled through the handbook of the International Shooting Sport Federation for a gruelling three months and recently returned from umpiring at the Scottish Open Air Rifle Championship in Tulliallan.

For the local pair, that was the latest instalment of a series of events that any new judge has attend in order to clock up sufficient 'flying time', a judge's ability to officiate at major competition being subject to their wealth of experience - similar to a pilot tallying hours in the air before fully qualifying in his profession.

"We tried to do it as close to ISSF standard as possible," says Watson. "To get your spurs, or your 'flying time', you have to go to events out of your own pocket, often to the other side of the world where you are a 'neutral'."

Watson, 43, is a member at Balerno and Currie Rifle Club and a self-confessed 'modest shooter'. He describes those in the sport, and at his west Edinburgh club, as "helpful and willing to give advice. There's a real community spirit there."

All judges in shooting are voluntary, so while Watson practises the sport for pleasure, it is natural that he gets a kick out of keeping its competitors in line.

"We're not here to be jobsworths, just to make it fair for everyone," he explains. "I get a quiet satisfaction out of getting things right so that shooters can get on with it.

"You have the hopes and dreams of others riding on your decisions, and I enjoy that pressure. There's also the buzz of a close-run final."

Aside from keeping scores and ruling on the stances of shooters, the lesser-known duties of a judge certainly makes the job interesting.

"We have to check that all the equipment used is in order, that there is no unfair advantage.

"Steadiness is the key for competitors as they shoot, and there have been instances of sticky soft drinks smeared on elbows, on chests and underfoot helping them retain their poise. You have to keep your eyes peeled."

Organisers of the Glasgow Games are keen to attract as many homegrown judges as possible while maintaining neutrality among its officials. The 2002 Manchester equivalent required 127 shooting officials, and Watson is hopeful that he and Walker can be part of the big stage. The aim is to have as many officials from Scotland as possible. "We're all focused on 2014," he admitted.