Shooter recognised as woman of the future
Georgina Roberts
BASC member Georgina Roberts, aged 22 from North Wales, was recently awarded the ‘Women of the Future’ award for her contribution to sports. We managed to grab a quick ten minutes with her to find out what made her a star shot.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
When I am not shooting, I have a full-time job as a publisher for MoneySuperMarket. This year I have taken some time off competing to focus on my family.
While I’m now back training and heading off to Abu Dhabi in a few weeks to compete, this year has enabled me to contribute to the sport in other ways. I’ve taken on several roles such as representative for the board of the WCTSA and writing for Clay Shooting Magazine, as well as starting my own coaching business and representing The Mintridge Foundation as an ambassador – so safe to say, this year has kept me busy.
How did you get into shooting?
I have been shooting for over five years with a one-year stint at English Skeet before changing to Olympic Trap.
I’ve been involved in numerous programmes and events over the years that have enabled me to connect with people who have incredible stories. Katie Cowell inspired me to start shooting competitively. Before her I would never have known that there was more to shooting that sporting and game.
I’m also very lucky to have spent time with Martin Barker at Nuthampstead Shooting Ground. Martin has dedicated his life to shooting and helping others. From him I learnt many lift lessons beyond just the technical knowledge for which I am so very grateful.
What other kind of shooting do you do?
When I was younger, I used to go beating on a few local shoots. Now I find it hard to find the hours in the day around a full-time job, but when I go it tends to be on the Stevenson Estate in Hampshire.
It’s unbelievably friendly and welcoming, with days suited to all levels of expertise. They have got some brilliant pheasant and partridge drives that are set out between two estate houses. The grounds provide some great deer stalking too, as well as being used as part of ‘The Hampshire McNab’.
What does it mean to win this award?
I didn’t expect to be shortlisted for the award, let alone win it.
It has been a rollercoaster year, so this is the perfect way to top it off. The whole experience has been so inspirational especially being in a category with so many amazing women who have accomplished so much.
I felt like I didn’t really belong at the awards and I had told myself to not get my hopes up, so winning was such a huge surprise. While I do a lot as a coach, as part of British Shooting and my own coaching business, a lot of what I do is ‘behind the scenes’. Having this recognition for my contribution to shooting means the world to me.
As with any sport, you get out what you put in but when the decision is in someone else’s hands, it’s so nerve-wrecking! This experience has helped me build a whole new level of confidence – having other people believe in me and what I am trying to achieve has taught me that I need to believe in myself a lot more.
How are you involved with BASC?
BASC was the first shooting association I joined when I first got into the sport. To begin with I attended so many young shots days – I have a good collection of pin badges now.
It really helped build my confidence as an athlete, but also taught me that I think BASC does so much for our sport; and the variety and number of events they hold is commendable – especially for young shots and ladies.
I’m so proud to be a member of an organisation that holds the same values as me.
