STS continually strives to improve the coaching support delivered by the programme to athletes. As such, despite the success of the STS Performance Programme over the past four years, STS has been through a process of advertising and recruiting coaches for the Pistol, Rifle & Shotgun disciplines within the Performance Programme, with a view to continue developing world class athletes and performances.
The recruitment process was carried out by Oliver Barsby as STS Chief Operating Officer; Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun representatives from the STS Performance & Pathways Group; Jennifer Ross as Performance & Pathways Manager (where appropriate); Gareth McKenna as Performance & Pathways Director; and sportscotland’s Performance Partnership Manager to shooting, Vikki Bunce, to ensure a breadth of views were involved and there is full transparency underpinning the process.
Marco Micheli
STS can confirm the process is now complete and announce the reappointment of Marco Micheli as Performance Shotgun Coach, covering Olympic Trap, Para Trap and Olympic Skeet. STS is delighted to have Marco back on board for a third term after the success of our Shotgun athletes at the Commonwealth Games back in 2018, as well as the continuing development of Scottish athletes at all levels over the last four years – from Keith White’s podium finish at the World Championships, to the gold medals for junior athletes Thomas McCarle and Izzy MacKintosh at the British Shooting Shotgun Series Grand Final.
On hearing of Marco’s reappointment, para trap athlete Keith White said:
“After being selected to join the STS team, it was clear from the start that Marco had the ability to engage and aid development of my shooting further. He has great understanding of all athlete’s needs, and has the ability to recognise that we are all different. His input both on and off the training ground is paramount to my past and future success, he is a great asset to STS.”
Andrew Ross
Taking an innovative approach, STS is also excited to announce the appointment of Andrew Ross as joint Rifle & Pistol Performance Coach, supporting both the Olympic and Paralympic events included in these disciplines. Andrew has overseen the Rifle programme since 2018, and stepped in to support the Pistol programme during COVID – support that continued when Performance Pistol Coach, Sonal Gyorik-Ramendra, stepped back from the position during 2022 and finally finished at the end of last year. During this time, Andrew has built up both an excellent rapport with the Pistol athletes and, under Sonal’s guidance and supervision, gained a wealth of experience in the specific technical demands of the discipline.
The option to appoint a coach to oversee both the Pistol and Rifle programme gives STS a unique opportunity to develop a positive culture and team ethos across the disciplines like never before – particularly with more emphasis on the 10m events as focus shifts towards Victoria 2026. However, we are committed to supporting all Olympic & Paralympic events and Andrew’s appointment is made on the understanding that additional input will be sought from coaches with international 25m pistol experience, to ensure the Performance Programme is providing the best support possible to athletes competing in these events.
Pistol athlete Thérèse Mitchell said on Andrew’s appointment:
“I have found that Andrew right from the onset had a positive effect on my shooting. He came with a different approach originating from his rifle background and it worked. He always has a very positive, supportive but realistic attitude. The training sessions are always fun and rifle and pistol mix well together. I look forward to working with Andrew in the future.”
STS are excited about these appointments, the terms of which will commence on 1st April and run through until the end of the 2026 Commonwealth Games to provide stability to athletes, coaches and programmes alike.
Paralympian, Lesley Stewart commented:
“I am delighted to hear that Andrew has been re-appointed as the performance coach. This is great news for the program and I’m sure everyone that works with Andrew has the upmost respect for him.
Since coming back into shooting after a long time away from it I have worked closely with Andrew who became fundamental in coaching me to achieve winning a quota place for my first Paralympic Games in Tokyo. He has pushed me forward on my good days and picked me up on my bad days. Andrew always puts the best interest of his athletes first.
Not only is he extremely professional but he is an honest, caring and respectful individual whom I am excited to be able to carry on working with and look forward to the progress I know we will make in the future.”
With the full programme of Shooting events for Victoria 2026 still to be confirmed, the Programme is not yet clear on whether performance funding will be increased over the next four years and what impact this may have on the running of the Performance Programme. However, all at STS welcome these appointments, the assurances of quality they provide for the next few years and look forward to working with Marco and Andrew to ensure STS athletes can continue to deliver world class performances from now, to 2026 and beyond.