A YOUNG man aiming to compete at the highest level in clay shooting is over the moon to have secured business sponsorship that will ensure he can continue training and realise his dream of one day competing at the Olympics.
Mitchell Brooker-Smith is being backed by Redditch family business Oakland International covering gun cartridges, competition fees and funding for his GB kit should he be successful in selection for the Olympic team.
“I feel extremely honoured to have the support of Oakland International and their sponsorship which means the world to me, and it has given me greater confidence knowing that there are people who care about the progression of my shooting besides my family and friends,” said Mitchell.
“My Granddad, Alan Brooker, is a huge part of my shooting. He takes me to all my training sessions and competitions and without him I would not be able to train or do as much as I do.
“Oakland International’s sponsorship will now mean I can train more for upcoming selection shoots and it also takes the financial pressure off my family, who work very hard to help and support me to get to where I want to be; shooting in the Olympics.”
Moving on to English skeet and then Olympic skeet, Mitchell was spotted by a British Shooting scout during a training session and given the opportunity to try-out for GB selection.
Parents Anne-Marie Brooker and Phil Smith said: “We’re extremely proud of everything Mitchell has achieved and so pleased that he’s made the most of every opportunity.”
Oakland International chief executive, Dean Attwell, said: “We are extremely delighted to sponsor Mitchell and support him, and his ambition to become a future Olympian and hopefully compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.”
