I feel greatly honoured to have been selected as Captain of the Great Britain Match Rifle Team to Brisbane, Australia this year. This will be the first time a Match Rifle Team has been to Brisbane, to shoot on the Belmont ranges. Although the ranges will be unfamiliar to us, our preparations are well in hand and I am looking forward to the challenge of competing against the Australians.

Having been to Australia with the MR team on 2 previous occasions I know what tough competitors they are, and am under no illusions about how hard it will be for us to beat them in the Woomera Match. However I am delighted to have many seasoned internationals in my team, together with some rising stars of the sport, and so I am confident of our ability to retain the trophy.

Another characteristic of Australian shooters is their generous hospitality. I know we will be well looked after and I will enjoy renewing many friendships. I have already received a great deal of help and support from our Australian hosts and I am very grateful to John Kielly and Philip Bain.

Towards the end of our tour, in late April, we will have the privilege of competing at Coonabarabran. This is a new range and will give us the unique opportunity to shoot at 1500 yards competitively. For this chance I thank Philip Bain without whom it would not have been possible.

We hope to mark the progress of our tour with regular updates on our website which I encourage you to visit if you can. Hopefully you will read of our successes in the Australian Match Rifle Championship, as we head towards a successful defence of the Woomera Match. Whatever the outcome of the match my aim is to bring the best out of my team and foster the true spirit of sportsmanship, an abiding hallmark of our sport.

Lou Lou Brister

Captain, Great Britain Match Rifle Team
February 2010