Brief History
The Newport Rifle Club has a long and distinguished history..
As the oldest continually active club in the country, established 1876,
Newport shooters have excelled both nationally and internationally.
Continuing in that proud tradition, the Newport Rifle Club Junior Team has
long dominated state competitions, and for the past four years, has been
nationally ranked with several juniors competing in the National Junior
Olympics, the National Championships and US Team Selection Matches. Some
of our members are national record holders and many aspire to shoot in the
NCAA's, and, ultimately, to make the National Team.
Head Coach
A member of the National Rifle Association's National Coach
Development Staff since its inception in 1994, Michèle Makucevich is
currently the Civilian Marksmanship Program's Rhode Island State Junior
Director. She is a national record holder in both smallbore and long range
rifle and a past Collegiate National Champion in air rifle. She has been
competing and coaching since 1985 and has represented the United States in
international competition as a member of the US Randle Team. In 1998 she
was recognized by the National Shooting Sports Foundation as the USA
Shooting National Coach of the Year.
Assistant Coach
Joseph Chrostowski began his involvement in 1997 when his
daughters began to compete. He is a NRA Certified Rifle Coach and has
attended an advanced rifle course at the Olympic Training Center. The
father of two highly successful rifle shooters, he has, several times, been
a volunteer at the National Junior Olympics.
Assistant Coach
Dan Nagelhout's extensive coaching experience is not limited to the rifle range,
as he has been involved in community sports for the past two decades. A sporting
rifle shooter, Dan is an NRA Certified Coach and has been part of the Newport
Rifle Club coaching cadre since 1997.
Team Armorer
With 35 years experience, Dan Makucevich is a multiple
national record holder and frequent member of the International Dewar Team.
He has represented our country as a member of the 1993 Roberts Team and has
won numerous state and regional titles. A Distinguished Prone Shooter, Dan
is also a member of the NRA's National Coach Development Staff. He assists
the team most often by repairing our equipment, but is also a tremendous
resource for the mechanics of the shooting sports.
Coaching Philosophy
Because of their unique nature, the shooting sports can
impart a number of life-long lessons. They teach perseverance, patience,
self-discipline, problem solving, optimism, concentration, confidence,
responsibility, and personal accountability.
While it is always the intent of the program to enter strong, competitive
teams, the overriding goal is to develop the person as well as the athlete.
Coaching Style
Because on the line coaching is prohibited in all
registered matches, each shooter must be capable of making independent
decisions. With this in mind, even beginning shooters will be encouraged to
analyze his/her own performance. Typically, beginning shooters will have an
instructor close at hand while learning the basic positions. He/she will be
asked to give feedback to help determine changes which can be made to
stabilize the position and otherwise facilitate a better hold. In addition,
coaches will emphasize that beginners WRITE DOWN settings and adjustments in
their shooting diary. More advanced shooters will be expected to follow the
prescribed practice schedule. Should they require help in a specific area,
it is their responsibility to bring this to the attention of the coaching
staff. Though each shooter's position and technique is observed and noted
EVERY practice, he/she may not receive direct feedback during that
particular training session.
Risks
Shooting is one of the safest of all competitive sports. Being a
non-contact sport we are fortunate in that our athletes do not suffer from
trauma-related injuries. But, because we are using a firearm, we must be
ever mindful of safety issues. There is NEVER any horseplay on the range or
in the presence of equipment. Eye and hearing protection is mandatory at
all times on the range.
Each shooter is required to have a medical release on file. This will be
utilized in the event that a parent or guardian cannot by reached and
medical assistance is needed. We will take this form with us when we travel
to away competitions.
Athlete and Parent Responsibilities
Shooters will be expected to
Parents should
*Parents are financially liable for the care of club equipment on loan to
their child. Any damage done through willful destruction or negligence
(including loss of items) will be charged to the parent.
Practice Schedule
Practices will be held every Tuesday from 5-9 p.m., divided equally between two
relays. Relay one will arrive at 4:45 and will have until 6:45 p.m. Relay two
will arrive at 6:45 and will shoot until 8:50 p.m. The range should be cleaned
up and all shooters picked up by 9:15. Any shooter who has not arrived by
his/her scheduled time runs the risk of being 'bumped' by another
shooter. In the event that open points are available on relay two, any relay
one shooter may opt to stay and continue firing. Sign-ups for relays will be
posted each practice session for the subsequent session. If you are unable to
attend practice, you are urged to call a friend and have them sign up for you.
Practices will begin the first Tuesday in October and run through the last
Tuesday of June. A typical practice will have shooters arrive 15 minutes
early and begin setting up their gear. Those arriving for first relay will
be charged with setting up the range, those arriving for relay two will be
responsible for cleaning up the range.
Check the bulletin board to see what the course of fire will be for the
evening. We will try to have an opportunity to shoot 60-80 well-considered
shots, though on drill nights that number may vary.
Competitive Opportunities
Procedure for Match Registration
Sign-ups are handled by writing your name in the match sign-up book. It is
important that once you are registered to attend a match, you honor your
commitment. We try to field multiple teams in these events and cancellations
will impact the entire team. Should you be unable to attend, you MUST NOTIFY
MICHÈLE DIRECTLY.
Travel Teams
Team Selection
Selection for participation on traveling teams will be based on a variety of
criteria including, but not limited to; scores, attitude, participation in
practice sessions, and the ability to integrate as a member of the team.
Though we are often fortunate in receiving some funding, it by no means
covers all the costs. Participants are responsible for their own expenses
(these costs vary by destination, air fares, match fees, hotel, etc.)
Cost/Equipment
Junior Team membership is $125.00 for the October-June season. This fee
includes use of facilities, equipment, targets, ammunition, membership in
the Rhode Island State Rifle and Revolver Association, and participation in
the Ocean State Junior Rifle League.
We do have some very good club equipment that is certain to take a junior
from a beginner to an intermediate level. As the athlete progresses,
however, he/she will want to begin investing in his/her own.
All members of the Newport Rifle Club are also responsible for becoming
members of the National Rifle Association (insurance issues). Cost for
Junior membership is $15. per year.
It is the competitor's responsibility to pay individual match fees and
his/her share of team entries for non-junior league competitions. [Junior
Sectionals and JORC's are $11.00 and include a souvenir brassard.]
RANGE CLEAN-UPS
All members of the junior team will be required to assist at a minimum of
one range clean-up per season. Clean-ups are generally held once a month,
begin promptly at 8 a.m. and end at or before noon.
I have read the Information Packet for Perspective Members and understand its contents.
I understand that my financial responsibilities include $125.00 membership
fee and membership in the National Rifle Association.
I take full responsibility for the equipment I use and understand that
should it be damaged willfully or through negligence (including loss), I
will be required to replace the item.
I understand and agree to the following athlete and parent responsibilities:
Shooters will
Parents will
Finally, I understand that selection for traveling teams is based on a
variety of criteria (not just scores) and that the financial burden is on
the participants.
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