posted Aug 24, 2008

How come Dave Phelps didn't go to the Olympics. Obviously he didn't earn a quota spot but considering he won the Commonwealth Games with a score of 596!

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posted Aug 25, 2008

It is obvious from the overall smallbore results in the post "cooper" era that the coaching system, if one exists, is not working, and its time the whole struture was reviewed. Those currently in charge should go NOW!

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posted Aug 25, 2008

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How come Dave Phelps didn't go to the Olympics. Obviously he didn't earn a quota spot but considering he won the Commonwealth Games with a score of 596!
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Sort of answered you own question there! He didn't get a quota spot, and I don't think he does 3P or Air rifle, so the powers that be would have been loath to give him the spot Hammond won as it was a choice of being represented in all 3 events or just 1.

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It is obvious from the overall smallbore results in the post "cooper" era that the coaching system, if one exists, is not working, and its time the whole struture was reviewed. Those currently in charge should go NOW!
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It's coming. There are changes in the works, but as with all things, it takes time to implement new strategies. Unfortunately the sport also suffers from an ailing grassroots basis.
Since 1997, the pistol shooting has of course been pretty dire at an Olympic level, and clubs - whether rifle or pistol - have struggled. Various university clubs were disociated from their students unions and folded, and there have been attempts to start new clubs at certain unis which have been met with either an unhelpful attitude - yes, start it up but don't expect much help - if not outright hostility and a refusal to allow the club to affiliate to the union.

The GB system is ok, but is failed by the home nation system (through which talented shooters rise up).
The Scottish Smallbore Rifle Association has an excellent set-up, with senior, junior and development squads (it's all on their wbsite).
I'm told the Welsh have a good set-up, but they have no website, which makes it difficult for people to get involved. Meanwhile England's set-up is dire. The website is poor and the association is run in much the same manner as it was 30 years ago. It serves simply to select teams, not to train them and develop them to a standard where the GB body would be interested.

This is why arguably the 3 best shooters in the UK at the moment are Scottish.

There's a good crop of new shooters coming through. Neil Stirton has had recent success at world championships, but found his form after the quota places had been allocated. Likewise, Matt Thompson was junior men's world champion last year. Those two and Kenn Parr all travelled to Beijing to live in the athletes village, suck up the atmosphere and get a feel for what it will be like when their turn comes in 2012.

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posted Aug 26, 2008

You are indeed right in the Dave Phelps doesn't shoot 3P or Air Rifle, he's Prone through and through. I am sure that he deserves to shoot in the Olympics some time though as he is truly class. I have seen this guy shoot a 599 in Competition for Wales in Germany during the 6 Nations.

Matt Thompson was always good when I saw him shoot, didn't think that Ken Parr would get as far as he has, but he seems to be doing well in Air Rifle as well. I have had the honour of seeing this guys shoot when I used to train in the GB Development Squad. When had some good coaching through that and if you wanted you could really kick on after being invited to training sessions. But like you say it is let down by everything bellow GB. Wales doesn't have a good system from what I recall. No training was arranged for us in any way but the Air Rifle shooters got some training if I remember right. My call up to the Welsh Junior Squad came through luck, then the to the GB Development Squad was because of my impressive trial for Wales. But that's that. Would really love to see us win a medal in the 3P or Prone in 2012. I think Matt Thompson may be the boy to do it.

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posted Aug 26, 2008

I think the Welsh squad may have got better. I know a bunch of the welsh juniors came to shoot pistol at the Isle of Man Easter Shoot this year, which they haven't done in previous years. I don't know if this is a sign of an evolving and developing structure.
Next they need a decent website so people know they exist and how to get involved.

Whilst you can get contact e-mails if you hunt around long enough, it can be intimidating e-mailing into the ether. Much better to know how the system works, who you're e-mailing and what opportunities are available. Plus, it means you might actually get some hits from non-shooters, which would help make our sport better understood.

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posted Aug 26, 2008

Actually Dave does shoot 3P, just not to international standard yet.

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posted Sep 2, 2008

John Hammond is great.

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posted Sep 8, 2008

hello old chaps

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posted Sep 10, 2008

alright mate

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