Roberts GB Squad Preparations
With the competition for the Field Marshal Lord Roberts Trophy just round the corner we thought we’d catch you up on all the GB Squad’s preparations and news in the next couple of news items.
First up Adjutant, Christopher Hunter fills us in on the Roberts Squad Training & Supporters Match.
NSRA Aldersley, 26th–27th April
Precision, Preparation, and Performance at Aldersley
In preparation for the prestigious Roberts Match against the USA this August at Bisley, the Roberts Squad gathered at NSRA Aldersley for a focused weekend of training and competition. The two-day event balanced technical development, match-readiness, and team-building—all essential for success on the international stage. The team at the National Indoor Shooting Centre at Aldersley, managed by Paul Horbury, did an excellent job of hosting the squad and the match attendees; we are very grateful to the team!
Sharpening Skills
The captain, Mike Arnstein, coach, David Phelps, and adjutant, Chris Hunter, together organised and delivered the training weekend, including the coaching which was comprised of sessions honed three key areas:
Aiming Off – fine-tuning the ability to adjust for wind and mirage conditions.
Shooting Fast – reinforcing control and accuracy under time pressure.
Deliberately Slow Shooting – adopting a one-minute-per-shot rhythm to build consistency.
A proposed trial of a “buddy system,” where a non-shooting coach assists two athletes with wind calls and reassurance, was postponed owing to time constraints but remains an intended area of focus for team development.
Prepared for Performance
A major emphasis was placed on equipment readiness, ensuring that athletes are fully confident in their kit. Topics included:
Confirming that sights click properly and bedding/trigger mechanisms are clean and correctly torqued.
Checking optical components (irises, filters, lenses) and ensuring prescriptions are current.
Quality ammunition is vital, and shooters should come well-stocked. ELEY
has sponsored the Squad, with the opportunity to batch test ammunition to ensure better matching of an ammunition batch to an individual barrel.
Making use of the training diaries, generously provided by David Phelps, to track development.
Athletes were reminded to pack for match contingencies: tool kits, cleaning rods, mat weights, wet-weather gear, and hydration essentials were all highlighted.
Understanding the Match Environment
Rob Dowling was tasked with clarifying certain details pertaining to the rules of the Roberts Match; Range Officers will also need to be versant in the match conditions.
The team also discussed protocols for reserve shooters—in case of unexpected withdrawals due to injury or illness.
Familiarity with assigned firing points was encouraged, and time was built in to allow shooters to walk the range and assess individual lane conditions.
Wellbeing on the Range
Sheree Phelps delivered important guidance on athlete self-care, including hydration strategies, electrolyte use, stretching techniques, and recovery tools such as foam rollers and magnesium baths. Each athlete received a printed guide to support ongoing physical maintenance.
Building the Team
Off the firing point, the squad stayed at the splendid National Sports Centre at Lilleshall Hall. The setup was perfect as a base with inexpensive accommodation with facilities and meeting areas available, whilst only a short drive from the NISC Aldersley. Team cohesion was built through:
Nicknames – boosting morale and individual confidence.
An evening quiz – mixing athletes from different clubs to foster bonds.
Supporters Match pairings – carefully selected to pair shooters with less familiar teammates, encouraging cooperation and trust.
Match Highlights
The weekend concluded with a well-supported match. X-Class shooters Matt Dixon and Sue Norman performed strongly, placing third and fourth, while A-Class shooter Mark Girling also impressed. Fifteen athletes participated, with special thanks to David Poxon (scoring and photography), David Sherwood, and David Phelps for managing the range.
You can check out the results here: https://www.nsra.co.uk/news/roberts-team-supporters-match-results
Looking Ahead
From squad shirts to free diaries, the attention to detail did not go unnoticed. Most notably, Sheree Phelps provided nourishing meals on a tight budget, allowing athletes to stay focused on performance.
With more match-like simulations and continued training and development, future sessions can build on this strong foundation—ensuring the squad is ready to meet the challenge of the Roberts Match head-on.
