Issue link: http://ssaansw.uberflip.com/i/552356
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 7 Junior shooter from Seaham on target 14-year-old Donny Parsons competes in NSW Benchrest State Championship Siridon Parsons, or 'Donny' as he likes to be called, has been a member of the SSAA NSW Seaham Branch near Newcastle since he was 12 years old. Donny fi rst started developing a keen interest in the sport when he began going to the range with his father at the age of eight. Once he turned 12, Donny applied for his minors permit and began shooting with a single shot Lithgow .22 and has never looked back since. After a couple more years of shooting under belt, Donny now 14-years-old, has progressed to using his father's Sako .22 in rimfi re hunter class competitions, and a 6mm Palmisano & Pindel Cartridge (PPC), which he uses in centrefi re competitions. Most recently Donny competed in the SSAA NSW Benchrest State Championship (Sporter and Experimental) at the start of July at the Silverdale range. He took third place in the Sporter class and fi nished in 10th place in the Experimental class. He also earned a small group award at 100 yards for a target that measured an impressive 0.158". Donny, under the supervision and guidance of his father and coach, Darren, has learnt different shooting skills and safe handling procedures of the sport. Donny enjoys shooting at a range whenever he gets the chance, which can sometimes be diffi cult as he travels with his father between NSW and Western Australia. Despite this he still attends as many shoots as possible and enjoys practicing with both rimfi re and centrefi re rifl es. Donny enjoys the challenge of the club competitions and competing alongside experienced shooters. He maintains that his focus each time he shoots is not so much to beat those around him, but to improve on his last score. Although Donny admits to getting a kick out of beating his grandfather Ean, who also shoots regularly. Donny hopes to continue competing in future NSW State Championships but his long term goal is to one day attend and experience the thrill of the SSAA National Championships.