James took up target shooting in March 2006 at age 11, shortly after joining the Scouts.  The troop had set up a regular Shooting Club and James was one of the first to go through the basic air rifle training.  In October 2006, the Scout Troop entered a team into the annual National Scout Airgun Championships at Bisley. Whilst James did not win a medal at these championships, he showed early promise.  In April 2007, James was selected to shoot for Surrey in the Scout Inter-County Target Shooting competition at the National Indoor Shooting Centre.  Based on his air rifle performance in this event, James was asked to join the National Scout Rifle Squad.  In October 2007 the Scout Troop again entered the National Scout Airgun Championships where James came away with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.  In February 2008 James entered the British Airgun Championships at Bisley in the 10m "Sporter" Air Rifle Class where he caught the eye of the manager of the Great Britain Junior Air Rifle Squad and was duly asked to join.  James, now 13½, is a member of 3 shooting Clubs where he regularly shoots 10m Standing and 3-Position Air Rifle and also .22 smallbore over 25yds and 50m.