2024 National Air Rifle Field Target

The weekend of September 20-22 saw 22 sporting shooters from Tin Can Bay, Qld and other states in Australia compete to be selected as a member of the four-person team to represent Australia at the World Field Target Championships. The team will be heading to Phoenix, Arizona in the USA and we wish them well as they fly the flag for Australia. Pictured below is the presentation of the trophy to this year’s National Champion.

Photo: Chris Dale (L) presents Darius Krivanek with the Air Rifle Field Target national trophy.

The competition was held in Tin Can Bay (TCB), at the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Qld) MacRae Range located on Rifle Fish Road. Two Field Target events were held on the Saturday and one on the Sunday, all running smoothly thanks to the new TCB Range layout and excellent weather. Targets were placed to meet international requirements and to test the skills of the competitors, ensuring that the best shooters were selected. International Air Rifle shoots specify the use of .177 calibre pellets at sub 12ft/lb. At this low velocity, gravity and wind affect the flight of the small pellets over the different target distances.

TCB members were given the opportunity to see the latest in sporting equipment and observe competition techniques used by the top-level shooters. Results saw the international team consist solely of Queenslanders. Well done. TCB members who could not compete in the International category shot very well in the Open categories, with seven medals awarded on the Saturday and nine medals on the Sunday.

The Saturday and Sunday lunches were beautifully prepared and well received during the short time allocated between events. We would like to thank Rainbow Beach Butchers for their donation of a meat tray and to the local Woolworths and IGA for fresh fruit and food for the participants.

TCB has been selected to host the 2025 National Air Rifle Championships at the same time next year. The club is fortunate to have an Australian Gold Medallist in Rifle Metallic Silhouette who provides coaching to new and existing club members. TCB holds air rifle competitions twice each month, and has other monthly disciplines in archery, rimfire rifle Pistol, Shotgun and Black Powder for details contact the president Brett Whiting Ph 0467 332 303.