NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT -- In support of a new youth target shooting initiative, the National Shooting Sports Foundation will contribute $50,000 to the Scholastic Steel Challenge program of the United States Practical Shooting Association and Steel Challenge Shooting Association.

"Developing new target shooters through programs that teach safe and responsible handling of firearms is a priority of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and we're proud to help a program get off the ground that holds so much potential for introducing new shooters to a lifetime sport," said Steve Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, trade association for the firearms and shooting sports industry.

The Scholastic Steel Challenge program is being modeled after the NSSF-developed Scholastic Clay Target Program that in addition to safety emphasizes building character and citizenship through teamwork.

"We thank the NSSF for its support and for providing an outstanding model for our Scholastic Steel Challenge program," said Scott Moore, director of SSC. "Our goal is to introduce the thrill and action of shooting steel targets to the youth of America through a program that is grounded in safe gun handling principles."

The SSC competition format is based on the Steel Challenge, a popular action pistol competition that attracts some of the world's best shooters. The scholastic version has been designed so it can be enjoyed by both neophytes and experienced shooters. Competitors will engage targets from a low-ready position and not from holsters as is done in the Steel Challenge.

SSC is open to all eligible youth and offers a Junior Division for 14 to 16 year-olds and a Senior Division for 17 to 20 year-olds. Scores and rankings will be posted online, and championships will be awarded in both divisions.

The United States Practical Shooting Association has over 17,000 members and 350 affiliated clubs, and the annual Steel Challenge is one of the nation's most successful handgun competitions.

"This is a program that youth can enjoy with friends and siblings, and which will help ensure a vibrant future for our sports," said Moore.