JERSEY rifle shooter Libby Hart has described her selection onto British Shooting’s Olympic Potential Programme for 2026 as a hugely rewarding milestone, as her years of work on the range continue to gather national recognition.
Hart has been named among the rifle athletes selected onto the programme, which sits directly beneath British Shooting’s World Class Programme and is designed to support emerging talent on the pathway towards future Olympic Games.
“It means a lot,” Hart said. “It means all the work I’ve put is being recognised, and I’m very grateful it has paid off. I’m doing well enough that they think this is the right step for me to continue improving.”
The Olympic Potential Programme was launched last year to bridge the gap between domestic performance and elite international competition, offering athletes access to high-level coaching, training environments and performance support, while still allowing them to develop within their home systems.
Hart believes that training alongside athletes with similar ambitions will be a major benefit, stating: “Training next to people who have the same beliefs and the same goals as me will be really helpful,” she said. “Having that working environment will be really good.”
While Olympic selection remains a long-term ambition, Hart is clear about the direction of travel. “Of course the Olympics is the goal,” she added. “Having access to Olympic-level coaches and the support and learning opportunities that come with being on this pathway will help me develop as an athlete and as a person.
“The goal is Brisbane [2032]. It’s a long way off, but hopefully being on this programme is an important step towards that long-term aim.”
Her father, Jerry Hart, said the selection was a deserved reward for years of commitment, from Libby and those around her.
“She is very pleased,” he said. “There has been a lot of work put in over the years, and this is another step on the ladder – getting closer to the final goals. She deserves to be where she is now.”
He also highlighted the collective effort required for athletes based on the Island, explaining: “It ends up being a bit of a family team effort. There’s travel involved, time off, weekends away. But ultimately, Libby is the one delivering the goods.”
Jerry also paid tribute to the role played by local support structures. “We rely on people like Jersey Sport to assist,” he said. “Their travel grants do a really good job helping athletes get off the Island. Without that support, there would be athletes who wouldn’t be performing anywhere near their potential.”
Hart will now look to make the most of her place on the programme as she continues her development within British Shooting’s long-term Olympic framework.
