The Kootenai Valley Junior Rifle Club is expressing gratitude to the Friends of the NRA for a $7,442.85 grant that helped the group purchase a competition grade .22 single shot rifle, an air rifle, targets and ammunition.  

The grant, dated Jan. 12, 2025, is part of funds raised statewide through Friends of the NRA banquets. Each year, the club submits requests for specific items and the organization decides which to fund. In previous years, the club has received support for jackets, gloves, slings and an electronic scoring system. 

Founded in the mid 1960s, the Kootenai Valley Junior Rifle Club currently has five members, though participation has reached as high as 16. The senior rifle club dates back to the early 1900s. Junior members range in age from 12 through 20 and move to the senior team after turning 21. Both boys and girls and men and women are welcome to join the programs. 

Club members are preparing for several upcoming competitions, including the NRA Sectionals, which gives a shooter their national ranking, The Junior Olympic Qualifying Match in which the top score in Idaho receives an invitation to attend the Junior Olympics. The Washington State Junior Championship, The Clark Fisk League match in which the team attends at the home range, Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene and Spokane. The scores are accumulated from those matches and the winning team announced at the end. 

“We are always preparing to do the best we can each week, setting our goals and working toward them,” said Kathy Konek.  

Konek said young people are drawn to shooting because of the balance between individual effort and team achievement. “No one can help you with your goal, you have to do it on your own, but the final score goes toward the team,” she said. “It’s a sport of precision, accuracy and determination.” 

Over the years, several club members have advanced to high levels of competition. In the past two years, shooters, Kyalynn Comer and Paige Sartell, qualified for the Junior Olympics, and Matt Philbrook and Clint Myers went on to compete for the University of Alaska on scholarship. 

“The KV Jr. Rifle Club is a group of kids who have fun, are determined to do their best, improve their shooting skills, and represent the community as they travel to compete.” Konek said about the team.  

The club’s coaching staff has over 150 years of experience between them. They have shot on university teams and are ranked nationally. 

The Kootenai Valley Junior Rifle Club meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the indoor range on Highway 2. Senior rifle practice is held on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., and pistol practice is on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. 

Those interested in joining or learning more can contact Don at 208-610-0226.