An Aberdeenshire street could soon be named after a Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Sharpshooter Sheena Sharp, from Huntly, represented Scotland at both the 2002 Manchester and 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, and secured one silver and two gold medals during the two events.
Ms Sharp, 66, first started taking part in shooting events when she was 11, and in 2007 she was entered into the Scottish Smallbore Rifle Association Hall of Fame.
Although she no longer puts her skills to the test at a national level, she still competes all across the country, and has been secretary of the Huntly Small Bore Rifle Club for the past 25 years.
To mark her sporting achievements, Aberdeenshire Council could name a new road in her home of Huntly in her honour, for a new development near Deveron Road.
Although the developers put forward the name of Deveron Mews for the new street, the town’s community council and local residents were consulted on an alternative name, and the locals suggested “Sheena Sharp Drive” instead.
Papers to be presented to councillors tomorrow read: “Huntly Community Council and local members were consulted on the suggested name and invited to put forward any alternative they deemed appropriate.
“Huntly Community Council suggested ‘Sheena Sharp Drive’ as an alternative
after a local Commonwealth gold medalist because they felt she should be honoured
in her hometown.”
Community council member Tony Gill said yesterday: “We put out a survey to residents to see if anyone could come up with suggestions for the street, and that was one of the options that was very popular.
“We put that to the council, and also mentioned it to Sheena herself who was delighted.”
He added: “The name is relative to the town and recognises the enormous talent of Sheena Sharp.”
Last night Ms Sharp, who still travels across the UK for competitions and coaches young shooters, did not wish to comment until after tomorrow’s meeting of the Marr area committee.
Gold-winning granny
Sheena Sharp was born in Torphins in 1953, before she moved to Huntly.
Sharp initially started shooting at the age of 11 before stopping at 16.
However, after picking up the sport again over 20 years later, she progressed quickly and soon earned selection first with the Scottish and then the Great Britain team.
Her local shooting clubs were the Huntly Rifle Club and the Bon Accord Rifle Club.
Attending her first Commonwealth Games in 2002, she won silver in the 50m rifle prone pairs with Susan Jackson.
And, at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Sharp and Jackson went one better and won gold in the same event, edging out England duo Sharon Lee and Helen Spittles.
Sharp also won a second gold in the 50m rifle prone singles event.
To commemorate her prodigious success, the town of Huntly lined the streets in a surprise welcome home ceremony.
The gold-winning granny arrived back in Huntly to be greeted by bunting and a Welcome Home Sheena banner, and she was invited to lead the Huntly and District Pipe Band in a parade.
The parade had been organised by the shooter’s long-time friend and Huntly West councillor, Joanna Strathdee – who died in 2015.
Throughout her competitive career, Sharp also worked in Aberdeen for a mobile-home rental company.
The former Gordon Schools pupil also holds the Scottish record with personal best score of 594 out of 600 in the 50m rifle prone events.
