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GBMRT Australian Tour 2004
It is a great honour to have been appointed to lead this second Great
Britain Match Rifle Team to Australia. Match Rifle is a wonderful sport and
one of the oldest shooting disciplines in the world, but for too long it has
been confined to the home nations. One of the most welcome developments
in recent years has been the enthusiasm with which Australia has taken
up this discipline, making it international and bringing to it that extra
dimension of spirited competition at the highest level, which is the vital
stimulus for all sport.
It will also be a special pleasure to renew our friendships with our Aussie rivals, whom we met
first at Campbell Town, Tasmania, in 1997 and then again at Bisley in 2001. No one needs
reminding what fierce competitors they are; but we shall be ready for them! And off the
range we shall look forward to many convivial moments, and to the joy of travelling through
the beautiful states of Victoria and South Australia at a time when British days are beginning
to darken.
I must take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the team through
sponsorship or financial contribution and in particular Jim McAllister who has been
outstandingly generous in providing numerous services in kind. The whole team deserve
my thanks for their personal support, the tasks they have undertaken, and (frequently!)
their pertinent suggestions. Most of all I thank Lou Lou Brister for so tirelessly carrying
out all the hard work that the Adjutant has to do; Vice-Captain Stuart Collings for his wise
advice and for skilfully managing our shooting preparations; and Alex Cargill-Thompson
for being an excellent Treasurer.
My best wishes to the team for a very happy, successful, and memorable tour.
Colin Hayes, Team Captain, GBMRT Team to Australia, 2004 |
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