British Shooting has become a member of the British Paralympic Association ©British Shooting

British Shooting has announced it has become a member of the British Paralympic Association (BPA).

The start of the Tokyo 2020 cycle had marked important changes within the governing body, with the country's Paralympic World Class Programme merged into the British Shooting set-up.

As a result, the national governing body now has a responsibility to represent and support its Para-athletes and coaches while working with the BPA in the lead up to, and during, the Paralympic Games.

The restructuring of the Paralympic programme also means British Shooting will manage selections for all events running under the auspices of World Shooting Para Sport.

"We are looking forward to working with the BPA and its team to increase our chances of success at the Paralympic Games," said Hamis McInnes, the chief executive of British Shooting.

"We have a responsibility to represent and support our Paralympic athletes and coaches and look forward to ensuring that our vision of becoming a world class shooting nation is as relevant to our Paralympic athletes as it is to our Olympic athletes."

The integration of the Para-athletes and coaches into the British Shooting team seems to be paying dividends already.

Matt Skelhon, a double London 2012 medallist, recently won silver at the International Shooting Championship in Hannover ©Getty Images
Matt Skelhon, a double London 2012 medallist, recently won silver at the International Shooting Championship in Hannover ©Getty Images

Matt Skelhon, Lorraine Lambert and Ryan Cockbill all won silver medals at the International Shooting Championship (ISCH), which took place between May 4 and 14 in Hanover in Germany.

The British team failed to win any shooting medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Four years earlier, however, they won three on home soil at London 2012.

James Bevis took bronze in the mixed 10 metres air rifle prone SH2, while Skelhon collected a silver in the mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1.

Skelhon also won bronze in the mixed 50m rifle prone SH1.

"We are really pleased to welcome British Shooting to our membership and look forward to developing the relationship through to Tokyo 2020 and on to subsequent Games," said BPA chairman Nick Webborn.

"Britain's shooters have made a valuable contribution to ParalympicsGB across multiple Games, and this relationship provides a strong foundation to support British athletes to achieve their potential in the future."