Old Bostonian Association Annual Dinner 2015 - Report

Richard Anderson leads
everyone in some exercises

As predicted the Old Bostonian Association Annual Dinner 2015 was a huge success. Once Richard Anderson, the almost universally popular Modern Languages teacher of 43 years (and one term) who retired in 2014, was booked as the guest speaker, it seemed almost inevitable that we would achieve a record attendance for recent years, and so we did.

I hope you enjoy this long report with many photographs. Maybe you will be able to identify long-lost friends in some of the images - click on an image to see a larger version.

The last few dinners have been held at the Boston and County Club where our recent record of ninety-something stretched comfort; last year's sixty-something was perfect for that venue. We needed somewhere larger, and the solution was in hindsight obvious - we returned to the school hall for the first time in probably a couple of decades (dinners around the turn of the 21st century were held in the school dining hall). This time we were able to bring with us the excellent caterers from the county club and all was set.

Regional Shooting Development Programme - Marcus Horry

BGS student, Marcus Horry posted today on Facebook that he was "Really happy to be invited to the regional shooting development programme!"

It is part of the British Shooting and UK Sport initiative, Target Tokyo. The initiative was launched, in partnership with the CPSA, to identify, recruit and develop talented shooters from all disciplines of shooting.

Following three phases of assessment, British Shooting coaches and the UK Sport Talent Team have collated data and made observations to understand where best to place each athlete on the Talent Pathway. Accordingly, athletes will be invited to take part in one of the following levels of the Pathway:

• Remaining in home environment to develop basic competencies
• British Shooting Regional Development Programme
• GB Talent Programme

The regional development programme, for which Marcus has been chosen, aims to provide a learning opportunity to equip those chosen for it with the skills necessary to progress along the Pathway and continue their journey to become World-class performers. The programme of learning will also include sports science, tactical training and lifestyle awareness.

The programme will consist of 15 days' training at Beverley Clay Target Centre for DTR athletes and Nuthampstead Shooting Ground for OSK and OTR athletes. Each athlete will be given individual coaching and the opportunity to shoot up to 5 rounds on each training day. In addition, athletes will be introduced to sports science to help technical and psychological development. Athletes are asked for a personal contribution of £450.00 for the programme, which represents excellent value at £30.00 per session.

British Shooting is committed to developing and supporting talented athletes. You will have an individual development programme and every aspect of your shooting will be monitored and assessed over the next 6 months. At this point on the Pathway the key objective is to find shooters who are passionate, committed and engaged in their own development; British Shooting wants athletes who are hungry for development. The programme will be reviewed in October and athletes who have demonstrated significant progression and engagement will be considered for the GB Development or Academy Programmes.

Marcus has secured sponsorship from the old Bostonian Association and others which goes some way to supporting his training, equipment and travel. Some money also comes from his part-time job. Welcome though this opportunity to join the Regional Development Programme is, it represents a further expenditure of £450 and he needs to save up before he can confirm his attendance. He urgently needs further financial support, so if you or your business is able to help, please contact Marcus or show your support straight away on his gofundme page.

Practise makes perfect - Marcus Horry

Marcus attends stage two of the Target Tokyo scheme

It's a busy time of year for Marcus, who is balancing his training regime with his regular studies

It has been a busy month as I have been travelling about collecting registered scores for England selection which is looming! I also attended stage two of Target Tokyo. Target Tokyo is a scheme set up and funded by British Shooting, scouting talent for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

I got invited to Target Tokyo when I was at the National Inter-Cadet Clay Target Competition in 2014 at Cambridge Gun Club. The second stage was a great experience - shooting Double Trap all day at Nuthampstead Shooting Ground with guidance from British Double Trap coach, John Bellamy. The day consisted of group coaching, one-to-one coaching and questionnaires — and, of course, the whole time I was being assessed.

My regular Down the Line practice at Nottingham and District Gun Club has certainly been helping my scores and confidence improve. I try and shoot at least once a week, if not twice.

A major part of my training is a technique called dry mounting. To do this I mount the gun into my shoulder in front of the mirror in my garage. I follow marks that are set out on the garage roof so that my muscles memorise the movements and it becomes effortless on the range. It also makes my mounting more consistent, which results in better confidence and set-up.

Having my last few months of school coming up I have got to balance my schoolwork with my shooting. Young people will understand how hard balancing your schoolwork with your social life and work is, never mind adding shooting to the mix. To help get around this I take revision and homework on the journey to the shooting grounds, unless of course I'm driving!

The next few weeks are going to be very tense as I will find out if I have been successful in reaching the third stage of Target Tokyo. Also, the England selection shoot for the DTL team is looming and I'm obviously hoping my four scores will earn me a place at the selection shoot to be held at Nottingham and District Gun Club. Much later on in the year I would also be looking to represent Lincolnshire in as many disciplines as I can for the Junior Team.

A busy few weeks of shooting ahead, which is great!

The Old Bostonian Association is sponsoring Marcus Horry throughout 2015 in support of his shooting. This article by Marcus was first published in Clay Shooter magazine (April 2015 issue).

Magazine exposure for Marcus Horry

Marcus Horry, the BGS clay shooter who is being sponsored by the Old Bostonian Association has secured some ongoing publicity. Thanks to BGS old boy Dom Holtam (BGS 1989-96) who is Group Editor for Archant's shooting titles and gave Marcus the opportunity of featuring in the group's magazine, Clay Shooter, throughout 2015. Every month Marcus will write a diary which will be published in the magazine, which is available free at gun shops nationwide.

The first of Marcus's diaries appeared in the March issue. Dom has kindly allowed us to reproduce this and future diaries on this blog.

An introduction to Marcus Horry

Young DTL hopeful Marcus Horry shares his clay shooting story so far and his hopes for the future

My name is Marcus Horry and I'm a sixth form pupil at Boston Grammar School, currently studying for my A levels. I am also a Flight Sergeant in the 141 Boston Air Cadets, which I joined in 2011.

In June 2013, I was asked to shoot with Boston Air Cadets in the National Cadet Clay Target Shooting Championship, where the best cadets from all over the United Kingdom competed. To prepare me for my first competitive shoot, my coach at cadets gave me four weekends' training prior to the competition.

The three-day competition in Cambridge ended with my beating all 175 cadets with the highest combined score of 54. This was quite unexpected as much of the opposition had years of experience shooting clay pigeons whereas I had none. Obviously this was an awesome feeling! It was easy to see I had a natural skill for the sport. It was on this day that I fell in love with shooting.

After the competition, I continued to shoot with the air cadets. During these shoots, my cadet coach and I discussed the possibility of taking my training to the next level. My coach knows John Bellamy, who is part of the England coaching team; she introduced me to him in February 2014. I had a trial lesson with him at P
ark Lodge Shooting School in Goole. He rated my shooting positively and thinks I show considerable potential. He helped to pick out the right gun which, with the help of my family, I have recently been able to buy.

I am still in full-time education and I have also recently applied for the Royal Air Force, so obviously there is little time left for earning money. But the money I do earn working at my local fish and chip shop funds my shooting. People who are not within the shooting crowd don't understand why I spend every penny I have available on clay shooting. My answer to those people is that shooting is my passion and it's also an addiction; I strive to get better every time I go.

I applied to be part of a new scheme to scout coachable talent for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. My application was successful, I attended the first stage and I am happy to say that I have been invited back for the second!

My aim now this year is to carry on collecting my scores for England selection and make the England DTL Junior Team. One thing is certain - there are some very exciting times ahead!

Marcus Horry - aiming to shoot for Britain

Marcus Horry receiving the national Cadet Clay Target award
from Brigadier M J Wharmby

Marcus Horry is a sixth form student at BGS. He is also a Flight Sergeant in the 141 Boston Air Cadets, which he joined in 2011.

In June 2013 he was asked to shoot with Boston Air Cadets in the National Cadet Clay Target Shooting Championship, where the best cadets from all over the UK competed. To prepare for his first competitive shoot, Marcus' coach at cadets gave him four weekends' training prior to the competition. The three-day competition saw Marcus beat all 175 cadets with the highest combined score of 54. This was a particularly impressive result considering that many of the other competitors had years of experience shooting clay pigeons.

After the competition, Marcus continued to shoot with the air cadets. During these shoots the coach suggested taking training to the next level and she introduced Marcus to the England Olympic shooting coach, John Bellamy in February 2014. After a trial lesson at Goole, John was impressed by Marcus' shooting.

John helped him pick the right gun which, with the help of his family, Marcus has finally managed to buy. Marcus tries to pay for his training by working part-time at weekends but the costs of training and cartridges are considerable.

His coach believes that Marcus would benefit from taking part in competitions most Sundays at shooting grounds around England. Marcus asked the Old Bostonian Association for help and we now have the pleasure of offering him monthly payments throughout 2015 in the hope that it helps him to pursue his sport to the level he wishes. In return, Marcus will write regular reports which will appear here, on the OBA blog. The Association also hopes to benefit from increased exposure as Marcus' shooting career gains momentum.

If you may be able to offer Marcus further financial help, please contact webmaster@bostonian.org.uk in the first instance and we will put him in touch with you.

It is a long term goal of the Old Bostonian Association to support students of Boston Grammar School in a range of endeavours and it invites them to submit a proposal document which will be considered by the committee. Marcus Horry is the first to benefit from this policy; we hope he is not the last.

Links to previous press articles about Marcus Horry

• Boston 'hot shot' needs help to buy Olympic competition shotgun
  (Lincolnshire Echo 25 Jan 2014)
• Olympic hopeful Marcus Horry wants help to realise his dream
  (Boston Target 29 Jan 2014)
• Cadet Marcus is on Her Majesty’s service
  (Boston Standard 27 October 2014)

Other links to information about Marcus Horry

• Marcus Horry - Shooting
  (Facebook Page)
• Marcus Horry: Aiming To Shoot For Britain
  (Tumblr blog)
• Marcus Horry
  (Talent Backer)
• Help get Marcus to the Olympics
  (Boston Borough Council)