SSAA NSW

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 5 Duval High School Rifl e Team 2014 SSAA National Hunter Class Championships A very excited group of junior shooters from Duval High School and its rifl e team set out from Armidale for Coffs Harbour to compete in the 2014 SSAA National Benchrest Hunter Class Championships against some of Australia's best benchrest shooters. The six shooters donned their team jackets, generously presented to them from Duval High's P&C and their junior representative blue polo shirts from SSAA NSW and were ready to go for a great weekend of shooting. All members of the team competed in the Saturday Light class and the Sunday Heavy class events. The group shot well, earning some consistent good scores which refl ected the weekly practice the team have been doing at the Loch Abba range of SSAA NSW Guyra Branch. Duval High is one of very few public schools to promote target shooting as a school sport and it has proved invaluable for students interested in the sport of shooting. The continual support and encouragement of the school and its principal Stafford Cameron is something to be applauded. During the weekend's competition, the team and their parents received many compliments from seasoned shooters who commending them on their behaviour and representing juniors in the sport and Duval High so proudly. Comparing the average standard of equipment to the high shooting results, shows the level of talent in the students. Willo, Dawso, Doug and Karlos produced some amazing targets with a wonderful attitude to match. Alicia shot very well and was a complete joy throughout the weekend. Mel, who had the opportunity to use top class equipment, showed her class and made the most of the experience. Tom Keys and Sonia Frost, the team's weekly coaches, both attended and competed in the Championships over the two days. A big thank you also to the parents who gave up their time to take care of transportation, organising accommodation and uniforms, as well as providing meals and ensuring their wellbeing. One of these parents, Peter Simpson worked tirelessly on Saturday and Sunday along with Coach Tom to help the students with their set-ups, ammunition supply, advice and support on every detail. Once again SSAA NSW Coffs Harbour Branch hosted a well organised, friendly event at the Dairyville range, with many top-class competitors, all of who were very supportive of our young team, many thanks to all. Duval High School rifl e team showing off their SSAA NSW shirts From left to right: Alicia McMannus (16), Ben 'Dawso' Dawson (16), Douglas 'Doug' Rowe-Dawson (17), Wil 'Willo' Shorter (16), Karl 'Karlos' Simpson (16) and Melanie 'Mel' Frost (15)

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