LEADERSHIP & COACHES
Leadership stays close to the range.
The people responsible for the academy are also directly involved with athletes, families, practices, safety and competition.
EXPERIENCE IN THE SPORT
Competitive experience informs the coaching, but the athletes remain the focus.
Mayura Jahagirdar and Dr Amol Khedgikar came to leadership after years as accomplished competitive rifle athletes, with several national-level medals between them. That background informs how they teach, prepare athletes for competition and maintain the training environment today.
President · Coach
Mayura Jahagirdar
As President, Mayura remains closely involved in the leadership and day-to-day work of Team Shooting Stars. She coaches, supports athlete development and competition preparation, works with families, helps shape academy programs and carries much of the organizational work that keeps the program moving.
Her coaching gives particular attention to the mental and preparatory side of competition: how an athlete prepares for practice, a local match, a regional event or a national tournament; how to begin with a clear plan; and how to respond when a shot or series does not go as expected. Athletes learn to regain focus, make a practical correction when needed and keep one mistake from defining the rest of the match.
The aim is to help athletes become increasingly thoughtful, prepared and independent in their own development.
Vice President · Coach
Dr Amol Khedgikar
Dr Amol Khedgikar shares responsibility for coaching, technical athlete development, range safety, safeguarding, competition preparation and the disciplined everyday operation of the academy.
Alongside coaching, Dr Amol is heavily involved in the academy’s day-to-day and behind-the-scenes operations and administration. His work includes practice and range operations, match administration, safeguarding and compliance, coordination with families and officials, equipment and facility needs, and the routine administrative work required to keep the academy functioning.
His coaching emphasizes a strong safety culture, precise technical observation and feedback specific to the athlete. He works with athletes to understand what is changing in their position, equipment or shot process and to make deliberate corrections that improve both skill and experience in the sport.
He also reinforces positivity, discipline and personal responsibility in training and in the everyday operation of the range.
Carrying the opportunity forward
For approximately five years, Mayura Jahagirdar and Dr Amol Khedgikar have volunteered substantial time to the academy’s coaching, athlete development, competition preparation, practices, families, match administration, range operations, safeguarding and day-to-day operation. Their involvement is rooted in giving back to the shooting community and keeping a credible pathway available to the athletes who follow.
That work is shared by the Board, range officers, parents, adult and junior athletes and other volunteers who help sustain the academy.
HISTORICAL LEADERSHIP
Dave Schaller
Former Head Coach · USA Shooting Level 3 Rifle Coach
Dave Schaller played a long-term role in Team Shooting Stars, giving many years to the organization and helping establish the technical and competitive foundation on which the academy continued to develop. His own background brought substantial shooting-sport experience to that work. A graduate of M.I.T., Dave competed on its collegiate pistol team for four years and earned Pistol and Air Pistol All-American honors. He later competed nationally in International Rapid Fire Pistol through the 2004 Olympic trials, earned the Distinguished Pistol Badge and competed in NRA Service Rifle.
His years of volunteer coaching and stewardship remain an important part of the academy’s history and the foundation from which Team Shooting Stars has continued to grow.