FTR Wildcats 2025
2025 was the first year of revival for the Scottish F-class team, with the FTR team involved in two major competitions in the UK.
STS F-Class team, The Scottish Wildcats, was formed in April 2025 to contest the revitalised Home Nations Championship held at Bisley in September 2025. Although not a full international team, the team members obtained support form STS. Dr Chris Cairns was appointed Captain in early 2025 and the team brought together in April 2025. While there were sufficient shooters to form an FTR team, it was not possible in the time available to raise an F-Open team, although Scottish F-Open shooters did assist the FTR team in several respects.
The team conducted several training sessions and meetings during the year, mainly at Bisley, under the captaincy of Dr Chris Cairns. Currently there are 7 active members with other contributions from Scottish F-Class shooters, who have either assisted the team or have expressed an interest in joining in the future.
The team was successful in gaining second place, receiving silver medals, at the Home Nations competition held during the 2025 European championships at Bisley. Furthermore, the team were victorious over the formidable Home Nations Champions, England, in the Lawrence Cup, shot at Blair Atholl in October 2025. In conclusion, the team has had a successful re-opening year and it is hoped to build on this in the future.
Practice Sessions, Team Training and Competitions
Team training commenced with attendance through the STS online portal for Sports Psychology session in late April. A training session was conducted at Bisley following the F-Class League shoot at the end of June, with the team conducting an effective and efficient session at 1000 yards. Team kit was purchased and worn with pride. A further training session was conducted following the league shoot in August, again at 1000 yards on Stickledown. Duties were allocated at the training events and confirmed prior to the Home Nations match.
Home Nations Match - 7th of September 2025
Integrated into the 2025 European F-Class Championships, the Home Nations FTR completion was contested between Scotland England and Wales. Conditions were challenging with large shifts in wind. With many of the team competing in their respective roles for the first time.
Scotland (521v17) acquitted themselves well, losing to a very strong English team (538v28) but beating an experienced Welsh team (517v18). Thanks to Ryan Goodman (RKM) and Des Parr (RK) for their help.
Tactical and practical lessons learnt it was onto the Lawrence Cup, not competed for since 2006, and a chance to level the season with England.
Team Captains at the Home Nations (Scotland - Chris Cairns; England - Arnaud Martin)
Silver Medal Presentation (L to R: Peter Baxter, Will Cairns, Heather Campbell, Garryk Campbell, Chris Cairns)
The Lawrence Cup (Scotland vs England) at Blair Atholl - October 2025
Revenge is sweet, as they say…. The following is an excerpt from the Blair Atholl Report including the match for the Lawrence Cup. While keenly contested, Scotland were victorious.
The Lawrence Cup Match– By Des Parr (Match Organiser) from GFBCA event blog
“Friday afternoon is usually just for practice, but this time we had the added attraction of an 8-man team shoot between Scotland and England. The Scottish Wildcats v The English Lions. It was encouraging to see how much effort everyone had put into this, making it a proper serious match, even down to being all kitted out in smart distinctive kit.
It was a closely fought competition, the two sides were pretty evenly matched. Judging by the scores, the wind was testing the coaches even though there appeared to be very little, appearances can be deceptive though as only two shooters broke 70: Peter Dommett and Will Cairns.
At the halfway mark Scotland were just ahead by 5 points at 267.09 against England’s 262.14 - there was still all to play for. In the second half, the scores firmed up, perhaps the Coaches were getting acquainted with the vagaries of the wind and making better calls. Again, only two shooters broke 70, both on the Scottish team; Peter Baxter and Will Cairns again it looks as though young Will has a bright future as a good steady team shooter. This helped Scotland to preserve that early advantage throughout the second half. England made good progress and raised their average, coming neck-and-neck with Scotland on points (272 each) and ahead on V-bulls by 3. It wasn’t quite enough to make up for the earlier deficit and Scotland emerged victorious by the same 5 points, with 539.24 vs 534.32
It was a well fought contest, congratulations to the Wildcats and commiserations to the Lions - we look forward to their next battle.”
Scottish Coaches and Shooters
The successful Scottish Team at Blair Atholl (L to R: Garryk Campbell, Heather Campbell, Peter Baxter, Chris Cairns, Ewen Campbell, Will Cairns)
With a Team Silver in the Home Nations Match and successful retention of the Lawrence Cup the Scottish F-Class FTR team had a successful first year on behalf of STS. The team is competitive with respect to the other Home Nations and there is scope to build on the successes of 2025 in the coming years. The team can be expanded to give greater depth and it is hoped that an F-Open Team can be incorporated for the 2026 season.