Profile: Jared McCarthy
What shooting really gives you
By Sam Talbot
If you asked Jared McCarthy at 12 years old where shooting would take him, he probably wouldn’t have had much of an answer. Like a lot of juniors, he got into shooting through a local program, liked it and simply kept turning up.
That first taste was the Brisbane junior shooting program, and from early on it was a competitive environment, which may feel like a curse for some, but even then, Jared had the insight to realise it was a blessing. It was also the perfect environment to push Jared to improve, something he was already eager to do.
“That sense of competition quickly turned into a focus on self-improvement,” Jared said. “Just trying to be better every time I showed up.”
It didn’t take long for shooting to become a big part of his life. As a junior he was training three times a week and competing across multiple disciplines: Silhouette, Field Rifle, Air Rifle Field target, even clay target and pistol shooting. It was a full schedule, especially for someone still at school. Jared is of course quick to thank his parents for their support – and driving, no doubt.
From little things, big things grow.
Despite diving into the deep end with shooting, he wasn’t someone who just picked it up and was immediately good at it. In fact, quite the opposite. “I was never a natural,” he said. “Everything came from showing up consistently and trying to improve a little bit each time.”
That’s probably not the most glamorous origin story, but it’s also the one that tends to work out in the long run. Some shooters are born with it and some develop it.
Over time, all the practice and steady improvement did add up. Jared went on to compete in dozens of state and national championships and represented Australia at five world championships between 2014 and 2025. That included trips to places like New Zealand, Portugal, Poland, the United States and Northern Ireland. Not bad for something that started as a junior program without much ‘natural talent’. But if you talk to him now, the way he sees shooting has changed quite a bit.
“When I was younger, it was all about performance and results,” he said. “Now, I have a much greater appreciation for the journey and what the sport has given me. It’s not just about scores anymore – it’s about the experiences, the people and the lessons along the way.”
These days, he is still involved, but it looks a little different. Instead of shooting three times a week, he might go once every month or two. Life gets in the way a bit more. That said, when he does turn up, he is still right in the mix, usually around the top end of the field.
“The fundamentals don’t really leave you,” he said. “Consistency and mindset are still there.” Those fundamentals were drilled into him as a junior, including during some training with Anthony Finn in Bundaberg back in 2012. At the time, it was just another step in getting better, but looking back, it was also something that shaped how he approaches challenges more broadly.
So, while the shooting is one thing, what you get out of it goes a bit further, and that’s why events like the junior championships are so great for development.
This year’s junior’s championships are at Captains Mountain on July 4 and 5 and is another opportunity for young shooters to step into the environment that allowed Jared to flourish. This exact competition and others like it were a very big deal to him growing up. “They gave me something to aim for and were a real stepping stone into open competition,” he said. They also teach a few things that don’t show up on a scorecard. “Handling pressure, staying disciplined, and working towards long-term goals. Outside of shooting, it builds confidence and resilience.”
For all the juniors who will be making their way to the competition this year, here is Jared’s advice: “Focus on your own process. Don’t get caught up in what everyone else is doing. Take it all in and treat it as a chance to learn.”
It’s simple and straightforward, but that is the same approach that took Jared from club competitions all the way to the world stage. And while he is not chasing the same milestones these days, his connection to the sport is still strong. Part competition, part social, part just enjoying being around it. “It’s taken me to places I never thought I’d go,” he said. “Those experiences stay with you.”
If you boil it all down, that is probably the best way to look at it. The scores matter, the results are nice, but they are not really the point. For Jared, shooting has evolved as something he used to attack fiercely to something he simply enjoys and has learned a lot from.
“At this stage it’s less about chasing big milestones and more about continuing to perform well and enjoy the sport. There’s always that internal drive to do your best when it counts. It’s given me confidence, discipline and an appreciation for delayed gratification,” he said. “It’s shaped who I am.”
For the juniors heading to Captains Mountain this year, the competition may feel like any other, but like it was for Jared, it could be the beginning of something much bigger.