Barbadian shooter and coach Tesonna Alleyne is part of a new generation helping to shape the future of shooting sport in her country — both on and off the field of play.
Balancing her role as an athlete with coaching responsibilities for the Barbados national team, Alleyne is also actively involved at governance level through her work with the Barbados Rifle and Pistol Federation. Specialising in pistol, she has spent the last two years building experience as a coach, contributing not only to athlete performance but also to the development of more structured and inclusive pathways within the sport.
Her work is already showing results, with athletes like Dave Seale emerging as strong competitors in the region, regularly reaching the podium and qualifying for major events such as the CAC Games. Alongside this, Alleyne has supported athletes preparing for international competitions, including participation at the ISSF World Championships in Cairo in 2025.
Balancing her role as an athlete with coaching responsibilities for the Barbados national team, Alleyne is also actively involved at governance level through her work with the Barbados Rifle and Pistol Federation. Specialising in pistol, she has spent the last two years building experience as a coach, contributing not only to athlete performance but also to the development of more structured and inclusive pathways within the sport.
Her work is already showing results, with athletes like Dave Seale emerging as strong competitors in the region, regularly reaching the podium and qualifying for major events such as the CAC Games. Alongside this, Alleyne has supported athletes preparing for international competitions, including participation at the ISSF World Championships in Cairo in 2025.
What is your coaching philosophy in one sentence?
Believe in yourself, the result will follow.
What is the one habit you try to build in every athlete you coach?
Practice with intention. Every shot should have a purpose, not just a desired result.
At elite level, what separates a good shooter from a great one?
I’d say the ability to remain true to your process under pressure. The confidence to trust yourself and your training. Shooting a 10 is easy; shooting a 10 on command time and time again when your back is against the wall is not.
How do you balance technical training with mental preparation in your sessions?
I integrate both within every session, drawing on principles from the ISSF Level B Coaching Course. Technical drills are paired with specific mental objectives, including the use of de-fusion techniques to help athletes manage intrusive thoughts and maintain focus. This ensures athletes develop the ability to execute consistently under pressure, not just in controlled training environments. Even something as simple as making a little extra noise while an athlete is training is giving them a mental tool to be used in a competition setting.