Joining Colchester Rifle Club
If you have an interest in target rifle shooting of almost any discipline, or are looking to begin in the sport, Colchester Rifle Club would be pleased to hear from you.
Applicants under the age of 18 will require the consent of a parent or guardian.
Becoming a member is a two stage process.
- Initially you join as a probationary member which lasts for a period of six months.
- Once your probationary period is complete you can then apply to become a full member, should you wish to do so.
Please see below for more information or email enquiries@colchester-rifle-club.co.uk to express your interest in joining Colchester Rifle Club.
Probationary Membership
Overview
Home Office guidelines require all new club members to complete a probationary period before they can be considered for full membership. At Colchester Rifle Club, this probationary period is six months.
During this six‑month period, probationary members are expected to attend and shoot regularly on the designated probationary days:
- Precision Section
- Wednesdays, 17:30 onwards (by arrangement).
- Sporting Rifle & Pistol Section
- Saturday morning, 10:00 12:30.
If the club feels that a probationer has not attended on a sufficiently regular basis, the probationary period may be extended beyond the initial six months.
Fees
The fees for the six‑month probationary period are as follows (valid until 31 October 2026):
- Adults
- £60
- Juniors
- £30
BACS payment preferred.
Note: Ammunition, air pellets, and targets are not included in the above fees.
The first visit is a tour of the club facilities and overview of regulatory obligations.
Before attending the club for your second visit, please download and complete the following forms:
| Probationary Membership Application |
| GDPR |
| Referee [two referees required, one completed form from each] |
Photographs
Please provide two passport‑style photographs of yourself. One photograph must be endorsed as a true likeness by one of your referees.
These must be presented at your second visit along with the completed forms.
Second Visit
When you arrive at the club, please ask for the Club Secretary or Section Captain. They will:
- Review your paperwork to ensure everything is complete and in order.
- Explain the procedures you must follow each time you attend the club.
- Answer any questions you may have.
If any of the above items are missing or incomplete at your second visit, your probationary membership application will be delayed.
Probationary Membership Period
Your probationary period begins on completion of your second visit to the club, provided your paperwork is complete and your probationary fee has been paid. From this point onward, you will be able to shoot under the guidance and supervision of a full club member.
Important Legal Warning: It is a criminal offence (punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine) to take ammunition away from the club unless it has been entered on your Firearms Certificate. If you are not an FAC holder, you must hand any remaining ammunition to a club official before leaving the premises. It will be securely stored on your behalf and can be collected at your next visit.
Final Month of Probation
As you enter the final month of your probationary period, please consider whether you wish to apply for full membership of the club.
Becoming a full member:
- Allows you to continue shooting at the club.
- Permits you to shoot on days and at times other than the designated probationary sessions.
- Enables you to apply to your local police authority for a Firearms Certificate, should you wish to own your own firearms.
If you are interested, then please download and complete the first page (leave the two monetary entries blank).
The Annual Subscription for Colchester Rifle Club runs concurrent with its financial year from 1 November to 31 October. Therefore, your subscription for your initial application will most likely be a pro-rata amount for the remaining months of the financial year (unless you join on 1 November!).
Please present your completed form to the Club Secretary or Section Captain. They will:
- Complete page 2 of the form.
- Calculate the pro‑rata subscription amount.
- Answer any questions you may have.
Your application will be put forward for consideration at the next club committee meeting, and you will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible. Please be aware that on rare occasions an application may be declined, and in such circumstances the decision of the committee is final, and they will be unable to discuss the reasons for the rejection.
