Following a successful training weekend in June for the applicants, this was the first opportunity for the travelling team, reserves and development squad to meet in person. We gathered at Bisley to start preparing for the 2026 tour to the USA and Canada. 

An early start on Saturday gave us plenty of time to discuss the travel arrangements, match formats and team roles for 2026, with several members of the 2025 team to Canada able to offer testimonials to the challenging conditions that can be expected at CFB Borden in August. There was an informative talk from Al Haley, the man behind Vantage and Shootr.app, with the squad now gaining valuable insight from the performance analytics offered by the app. With chambers checked by our Vice Captain, John Ritchie, and following a nutritious lunch at the Artists, we headed out to the range to start with a warm-up and stretches led by James Postle. 

We were fortunate to get fallback targets on Century in the afternoon, shooting on ICFRA targets at 300, 500 and 600 yards alongside the Open meetings of the North London RC and the Surrey RA. Having several butts of targets operating next to us set the competitive tone for our time on the range. While the conditions were challenging, the squad performed at a high standard, including practising wet-weather drills that were honed over this year’s Imperial Meeting. Our day concluded with a superb dinner at the Artists, with the squad able to debrief and relax in a club atmosphere. 

Sunday began with a warm-up led by Simon Hayton, allowing the team to brave the brisk but sunny conditions on Stickledown. Those shooting were able to be stable gun platforms due to our coaching team of Chris Heales and Simon Dickson, as well as both our Captain and Vice, expertly led by Reg Roberts as our main coach, making the sacrifice of staying in the coaching chairs in the face of a 6-

minute wind bracket throughout the morning. The squad had clearly received a memo that the air temperature would not improve, and made good use of their sighters, with most finding the middle of the ICFRA targets at 900 and 1000 yards. 

With another training weekend behind us, we now look forward to our individual winter training and convening back on the ranges in 2026. We are extremely thankful to our sponsors, Ashbourne Insurance and Swatcom, for their contributions so far to enable us to pursue our dream of touring.