Duncan Greaves named BASC Shotgun Coach of the Year

This year’s BASC Shotgun Coach of the Year was awarded to Duncan Greaves for his outstanding contribution and long-term service.

Day one of The Game Fair at Blenheim Palace saw the presentation of the 7th annual BASC Shotgun Coach of the Year. Nominated by his fellow coaches for his willingness to go ‘above and beyond’ to help others, this year’s award went to Duncan Greaves.

A BASC coach for 34 years, Duncan has trained and assessed hundreds of shotgun coaches, in addition to the countless people he has taught to shoot himself.

Presented with his award by BASC’s deputy director of shooting operations, Gareth Dockerty, Duncan spoke afterwards, saying: “I’ve trained or assessed most of the coaches here and they are all a great bunch of people. It’s quite a shock to win, I wasn’t expecting it at all. 

“Bringing enjoyment to people is what I like the most, while also ensuring safety. From our point of view as coaches, it’s all about bringing out the best in people, but as long they are shooting safely that’s all that matters.

“I still love coaching people. We are also constantly training, assessing or mentoring new coaches to come in to the system. It can be hard work, it’s not a qualification that we just give away, but the sense of achievement they get out of it is something that gives us all a great deal of pleasure.”

Gareth said: “It was fantastic to see so many nominations for the BASC Shotgun Coach of the Year award this year and even better that we have such a worthy winner in Duncan. 

An outstanding coach and mentor, Duncan is admired by his coaching colleagues and we are hugely grateful to him for the time, effort and dedication he has brought to our shotgun coaching programme for so many years.”

Jane Hatton, BASC training and education officer, added: “We present this award to recognise the brilliance of the shotgun coaches. They are really valued within BASC and it’s great to be able to honour Duncan today in this way.”

BASC’s volunteer shotgun coaches are a huge part of The Game Fair, cutting some of the most recognisable elements of BASC’s presence at shows and events around the UK, and are fundamental to the experience of our members and non-members alike.

Thank you to our sponsors Eley, Browning, and Promatic for their support of BASC Shotgun Coach of the Year.