Scottish Target Shooting are working closely with Scottish Student Sport to support shooting clubs of all disciplines in Scottish Universities. So far in the 2016/17 academic year we have worked together to deliver a RCO and Club Instructor courses specifically for University Clubs. The next stage of the plan was to support experienced shooters as it was identified that so often these people spend their whole time coaching beginners and don't have the range time to develop their own skills. Working with the SSS Rifle Chair, Chris Gray, Scottish Target Shooting organised for Donald McIntosh, Scotland's Performance Manager and British Shooting's Rifle Coach, to deliver an advanced coaching session to give something back to those experienced university shooters who give up so much of their own time to introduce novices to the sport. Below is a report from Chris Gray on the sessions held on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th November.
On Friday and Saturday, 8 students from Scottish University Rifle Clubs were given the privilege to have a training session at the Meadowbank range with British Shooting's rifle coach, Donald McIntosh. Only a few of the eight who went had shot on electronic targets previously, and certainly none of them had shot on electronic targets in a 50m indoor range, so this really was a first for all of them.
It was a hugely enjoyable session for all, being able to shoot for an extended period of time without any club business interrupting the shooters, for all are committee members at their respective clubs.
From talks on strategies to cope with pressure, to extended sessions with a SCATT machine, it was a massively beneficial sessions and gave those attending a taste of what elite shooting entails, hopefully inspiring them to try and reach that level themselves.
All the shooters are hugely grateful to Donald for giving up his time to coach them, including a rather early start on Saturday. Thanks must also go to Scottish Target Shooting for helping to arrange the weekend, it was an experience that won’t be forgotten.
Report by Chris Gray, SSS Rifle Chair
Photos by Olga Goryunova