Caithness shooter, James Henderson, who missed selection for the squad from which the Scottish team will be picked for next year's Delhi Commonwealth Games, is redoubling his efforts for the Glasgow Games in 2014 with the help of the Highland Institute of Sport which inducted him this week.

In the hope that he could make next year’s India bound Scottish team, the 36 year old 50m prone shooter from Watten devoted much of the last three years to earning a place in Scotland’s A team.

“I was selected for the Scottish B squad eight years ago then made a conscious effort to try and get into the A squad and the team for the Commonwealth Games in India,” said the mechanical engineer who works for Rolls Royce.

He made good progress, achieved fine results and reduced the gap on his rivals.  Winning gold in September’s Commonwealth shooting Federations European Division Championships on the Isle of Man, scoring 593 from a possible 600, proved the high point.  In July’s Scottish 50 metres Championships in Aberdeen he had finished second and beat Scotland’s two main 50m specialists, Neil Stirton and Jonathan Hammond. 

Yet, with five other shooters still ahead of him in his event, he narrowly missed selection for the squad.

Henderson is disappointed yet philosophical and has now embarked on a new campaign which he hopes will see him in the Scottish team competing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.  In a sport where age is not so critical, and where competitors stay in their peak during their 40s and 50s, he still has a chance.

A silver lining for Henderson, who began the sport as a 12 year old and, apart from a four year spell at Edinburgh’s Herriot Watt University, has been a regular with Watten Rifle Club, was his selection for the Highland Institute of Sport on the back of strong results this summer.

Part of the Area Institutes of Sport network, which helps Scottish governing body-identified athletes with world class potential by providing high performance expertise, the Highland Institute of Sport offers athletes access to essential support services locally in sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning training, and gives career and lifestyle guidance.

“I’m looking for something to give me a bit of an edge on the A squad shooters that are obviously getting this kind of support already,” said Henderson, who is coached by Jim Cole-Hamilton and Cyril De Jonckheere.  “So I’m hoping this support will bring me in line with them.

“Chris Hildrey (HIS Manager) came up to see me last Monday for my induction.  Then yesterday I had a medical in Inverness and this week I’m booked to see the physio.  After that they’re starting me on a Strength & Conditioning programme. 

“It’s completely new to me but I’m sure it will be a big help.  There’s a certain amount of stamina required for holding the position in prone shooting. A 60 shot match can take upwards of an hour to complete.

“I broke my left shoulder four years ago, and it’s weaker than it should be, so this will help me to build it up a bit.

“Competing in a Commonwealth Games is my dream and my goal but a home one would be 100 times better than anything else.  Glasgow 2014 is my main aim now and competing in front of a home crowd is the ultimate goal.”

Said Highland Institute of Sport Manager, Chris Hildrey:  “James is really focussed on what he needs to do to get into the 2014 squad and we are already delivering tailored support to assist him. 

“Representation for Caithness at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014 would be a tremendous boost for the Highlands and Islands and would show that our Institute Network is capable of delivering world class support to athletes wherever they are in Scotland.”