Junior Membership Explained: Bringing Your Child to Phoenix Rifle Club

Key Highlights

• There’s no minimum age for a child to try Mini Rifle shooting at Phoenix Rifle Club, provided a parent or guardian supervises them throughout.
• Mini Rifle access is restricted to the friends and family of existing club members, not the general public.
• Family/Junior membership costs £100 per year, alongside standard adult membership at £250 per year.
• A Range Conducting Officer supervises every session, and Mini Rifle uses low-recoil .22LR rifles suited to younger and first-time shooters.
• Phoenix Rifle Club operates its Mini Rifle provision under a Home Office-recognised exemption, with strict safety and supervision requirements set out in the Firearms Act.

Introduction

Parents looking into shooting as a family activity often have the same first question: how young can my child start? And what does joining actually involve? At Phoenix Rifle Club, the answer centres on our Mini Rifle provision and family membership. One important detail: we build access around existing members and their families, not general public bookings.

No Minimum Age, But Supervision Is Non-Negotiable

There’s no minimum age for a child to try Mini Rifle shooting at Phoenix Rifle Club. Every case requires a parent or guardian present and supervising for the entire session, alongside oversight from a Range Conducting Officer. Mini Rifle uses low-recoil .22LR rifles, which suit younger or first-time shooters learning the fundamentals of safe handling.

Mini Rifle Is Restricted to Members’ Friends and Family

Phoenix Rifle Club operates its Mini Rifle sessions under a recognised exemption for miniature rifle clubs, which comes with strict conditions. We restrict participation to the friends and family of existing members, verified through a formal declaration naming the referring member. This isn’t a general walk-in offering. It exists specifically to give members’ own families, and the families of people they know, a safe route into the sport. For the full legal background, see our Mini Rifle Exemption Certificate page.

Two Separate Licences, Two Different Age Rules

It helps to understand that Phoenix Rifle Club operates under two separate Home Office approvals. The Firearms Act approves full club membership and sets a minimum age of 14 to hold that membership. It’s needed to shoot other calibres and disciplines as a member in your own right. Mini Rifle shooting operates under a separate exemption certificate, which carries no minimum age at all. That’s why a child younger than 14 can take part in Mini Rifle sessions as the family of an existing member. Joining the club as a full member in their own right becomes possible from age 14 onward.

How Family Membership Works

Alongside standard adult membership at £250 per year, Family/Junior membership costs £100 per year. Both are paid by bank transfer on the same annual renewal schedule. This makes it realistic for a whole household to take part rather than just one adult member. Family/Junior membership supports household participation in Mini Rifle sessions. It’s separate from the Home Office-approved club membership that a young person can hold in their own right from age 14. For the full membership process, see our membership page.

What Supervision Looks Like in Practice

A Range Conducting Officer supervises every Mini Rifle session, alongside the accompanying parent or guardian. Our indoor tunnel range also removes variables like wind and weather that make supervision harder outdoors. That keeps attention focused on the child’s technique and safety.

Conclusion

There’s no minimum age for a child to try shooting at Phoenix Rifle Club. But the path in runs through family connection to the club, proper supervision, and Family/Junior membership, not a general public booking. If you’re already a member, or connected to one, get in touch to find out how to bring your child along.

Frequently Asked Questions