Thirteen-year-old Sean Leinberger may have flown to England with a rifle case and a few coaching basics, but he returned to Texas with something more valuable: a new mentor and a deepened passion for the sport.
Leinberger, a junior shooter from Texas, made the trip to the legendary Bisley Shooting Grounds this August with the U.S. Roberts Team. While he wasn’t slated to compete in the marquee match, his role as an ambassador for youth shooting—and his infectious enthusiasm—quickly made an impression.
It didn’t take long for opportunity to find him. During the event, a fellow competitor named Andy introduced Sean to Sue Norman, a respected coach with the Midlands Shooting Club in the United Kingdom. What started as a friendly introduction turned into an impromptu coaching session—one that may shape the future of Sean’s shooting journey.
“I hope this experience encourages other juniors to get involved in the shooting sports,” Sean said, reflecting on the international camaraderie that marked his time at Bisley.
He wasn’t making the trip alone. His mother, Celeste Green Leinberger, was competing as a member of the U.S. Goodwill Randle Team. For her, Bisley was more than a venue—it was a living, breathing tradition.
“It’s more than a shooting match,” she said. “In a land where possessing pepper spray can land you six months and up to 10 years in prison, shooters from Texas to Russia have gathered for over a hundred years at Bisley for competition and real fellowship. After a day on this hallowed ground, we break off to old Tudor-style clubhouses or RAF bars. We share stories—some ridiculous, some legendary—and the jokes run as long as the traditions.”
It’s that unique blend of world-class competition and international friendship that left a mark on both mother and son.
As for Sean, the coaching session with Norman was just the beginning. With fresh inspiration and support on both sides of the Atlantic, he’s aiming higher—and looking to bring more juniors along with him.
Read more about the U.S. Roberts Team that competed at Bisley for the 2025 Field Marshal Earl Lord Roberts Trophy Match.
