For the latest news of what Iain is up to, read his blog:

www.claycoach.blogspot.com

Well, it seems an age since I managed to get this site updated. I feel guilty as I know that people keep their eye on it for bits of news. I'll try and do better over the next months.

Since last writing, I have been to The Ladies OS Grand Prix in Berlin, a great event, well supported by ladies from all over Europe. The good news is that it is coming to Scotland next year. Alison Nicol will have the job of organizing it so, any help will be gratefully received, I am sure. Alison's own web site is: www.alisonnicol.com

Then, lots and lots of coaching, in Scotland of course, and down at Bisley and Dartford where I have been running training sessions for Olympic Trap and Skeet shooters. These sessions will continue to run over the next year and I have plans to run a camp in Cyprus prior to the Grand Prix there. Incidentally, if you don't have the date in your diaries, the information I have is that it will be taking place on the week commencing 10th March 2008. I don't know if it's going to be at Nicosia or Limassol but I'll try and keep you updated with any information as soon as I get it.

The St Andrews Clay Club have been active with a well organised training programme, both preparing teams for upcoming competitions and also selecting two members to go onto the SCTA Corporate Instructor course in November. Aidan Coates and Kirsty Playfair are the lucky ones who will come up to Kingscliff for their training, and then return to St Andrews to pass on their skills. The photograph on the left shows Aidan at work getting his "client" to identify his "Pick up Point". Quite what the ladies on the right are doing, I don't honestly know!!!!!!

Olympic Skeet training continues and there was a good group at Auchterhouse last weekend, enjoying good shooting and fine weather. These days will also be continuing over the winter, so, if you want to get involved either e mail or call me and I can update you on what's happening.

Last and not least, the dates for the Britannia Grand Prix, formerly the Bisley Grand Prix, are 17th to 20th April 2008 at Southern Counties. This is a great event. Be there or be square!!!! GOOD SHOOTING.
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The OS Championship took place at Kippen Gun Club on 28th July 2007, in somewhat blustery, but generally dry, conditions.
A good entry of 25 guns, shooting on only one layout, made for a longish day, but as far as mechanical matters were concerned everything went without a hitch.
Targets were set by the jury at 0930 and shooting commenced at 1000 sharp, with the last shooter finishing up at around 1815.

Jon McCarthy from England won the Open High Gun Trophy with a good score of 95.

Other prize winners were:

Drew Christie Scottish High Gun 93
Trevor Jeffrey Runner Up 92
Alison Nicol Lady High Gun 83
Robbie Grubb Veteran 85
Ben Wilson Junior 87

14 names were submitted with scores for 12 team places, but John Gilkes withdrew his name from consideration as he has been ill and did not wish to travel. John would have made his place had he chosen to go.

The team chosen were:

Trevor Jeffrey Captain
Drew Christie New to OS Team
Robbie Grubb
Ben Wilson New to OS Team
Andrew Coull New to OS Team
Iain Stewart
John Laurenson New Cap
John McIntyre
George Dundee New Cap
Alison Nicol
Chris Mummery
Peter Scott-Aiton New Cap

1st Reserve is Brian Field.

This selection bodes well for the future with the newcomers to the team.

The International takes place at Telpyn shooting ground, Wales on the 11th August.
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Corporate Success

The SCTA ran a Corporate Instructor Course at Braidwood Sporting Clays on the weekend of 23/24 June 2007.
9 hopefuls attended on day one and were taken through a programme of safety, how to instruct "The Method", assessing master eye, basic gun fit and stance - to name but a few items - prior to actually going out onto the ground in the afternoon for practical work. As ever there is much to learn in the practical sessions, but everyone was singing from the same song sheet by the end of the afternoon. Just to ensure that they did not waste time, a review paper was handed out for the trainees to ponder over in the evening - or in some cases, the middle of the night!!
Day two started with discussion of the review paper and then out onto the ground for 10.00 am. Further instruction took place with a good group of volunteer pupils organised by Joyce Black and lunch was enjoyed at around 1230.
The assessment session took place in the afternoon and the trainees came on to the stand to display their skills to the staff tutors. There were ups and downs as there always are on these courses but all held their nerve, and, at the end of the day, after discussion, the tutors agreed that everyone had achieved the necessary standard. This ensured a happy group for the final photo.
Thanks to Jim and Joyce Black who had worked very hard - including coping with a complete power cut due to lightning - in so many ways to ensure the course was a success.

Staff tutors were Iain MacGregor and Alistair Ferguson.

The Corporate Instructor Course is the entry level course within the SCTA. It is run over two days and costs £200.00 (at this time, June 07) per person. Accommodation is not included but clays, cartridges and light refreshments are.

Any enquiries should be addressed to Iain MacGregor on:
Mobile : 07885 216225
email: techdir.scta@hotmail.co.uk

Ben Wilson from Islay, double medal winner at Bisley Grand Prix. Ben came 2nd in the juinors with a personal best score and also won a class prize. Well done!!!

The Iain MacGregor clinic at Bisley:

Wednesday 20 June - Olympic Skeet - morning and afternoon
Thursday 21 June - Olympic Trap - morning and afternoon
Friday 22 June - ABT - morning only (to be confirmed)

Each training day will be designed for shooters' of any (or varying) ability, to improve the shooting technique, with information on developing an understanding of sports psychology and nutrition, structuring a full training program and managing a training diary

£90 per half day: 09.00 hrs - 12.15 hrs or 13.00 hrs - 16.15 hrs

£140 per full day: 09.00 hrs - 16.15 hrs

Prices include range fees and clays. Shooters supply their own cartridges

For bookings and further information contact:

Iain MacGregor
Mob: 07885 216225

Email: claycoach@tiscali.co.uk
Website: www.claycoach.co.uk