In a major moment for junior smallbore shooters, the 2025 Drew Cup, one of the world’s most prestigious international rifle competitions, will be fired on U.S. soil in a postal match format—giving rising American talent a rare opportunity to represent the nation without crossing the Atlantic.
Run by Great Britain’s National Small-bore Rifle Association (NSRA), the Drew Cup is a 60-shot prone match fired at 50 yards on ISSF (metric) targets, with competitors using ISSF-compliant .22 caliber rimfire rifles and equipment. The match features three elite teams: a 3-person all-women’s team, a 3-person all-men’s team and a 10-person mixed team with at least one man and one woman athlete.
But the road to this international spotlight runs through a tough and time-sensitive U.S. qualification process, also held via postal match. Junior athletes—defined as under 21 as of December 31, 2025—must complete a precise 60-shot English match under adult supervision and submit scanned targets and scores by September 17.
According to Joe Graf, U.S. Drew Cup Team Adjutant, every effort is being made to mirror the standards of international competition. “Participants must follow strict timing and equipment rules, and each stage of the match must be witnessed and documented,” Graf said.
Once selected, team members will fire their official Drew Cup targets between September 29 and October 5, mailing them in immediately for scoring to meet the October 30 deadline imposed by the NSRA.
The stakes? International honor and recognition on one of smallbore’s biggest junior stages.
With a postal format leveling the geographic playing field, the 2025 U.S. Drew Cup selection represents a prime opportunity for precision smallbore shooters nationwide.
Interested athletes or coaches should contact Joe Graf at [email protected] for full match instructions and submission details.
