SSAA NSW

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 19 SSAA NSW Shotgun Discipline The Shotgun discipline involves shooting a shotgun to break clay targets. This discipline, as we know it today, began with shooting live pigeons which has since changed to clay targets still commonly referred to as 'pigeons'. The two most popular SSAA shotgun events are Sporting Clays and 5-Stand, where targets are thrown at various speeds, in singles, doubles or in pairs, from in front of, behind, low, high or above, straight away, crossing, quartering, incoming from either side, in the open or partly hidden by trees, bushes or other obstacles. The targets themselves may include standard and rabbit targets, as well as those of smaller diameter, such as midi, mini, super mini, battue, rocket and flash targets. Sporting Clays is the most commonly shot event with a shoot on most weekends. Sporting Clays is often referred to as "golf with a shotgun", as a squad of six shooters will walk the course from station to station and take turns to shoot the targets that are set as per the menu boards. 25 targets are shot per round and depending on the event it could range from 50 to 100 targets per day. The weather also is a huge factor when setting the range and this determines how the targets are set. There are also many other clay target shotgun competitions, which vary in the type of targets thrown, the angle, height and speed at which they are thrown, and the field layouts from which shooters shoot. Along with Sporting Clays and 5-Stand, there is Low Field which is shot from pads that are almost level from the trap house and High Field where the trap is high above the ground. Many SSAA NSW members also enjoy participating in other variations of clay target Shooting including Trap (Down the Line) and Skeet. Many SSAA NSW shotgun shooters take part in State Selection Shoots held by SSAA NSW Branches at locations around the state over the year. They battle it out for one of five positions on the SSAA NSW State 5-Stand team which is announced at the conclusion of the State Selection Shoots. The State Champion is also crowned at the same time. Selection for two Australian Shotgun Teams occurs on a biannual basis, with these teams supported by the SSAA and its Shotgun discipline to compete at the New Zealand COMPAK (5-Stand) Championships. In competitions there are usually A B and C Grades for Men and Lady competitors along with Junior (aged 12 to 17) and Veteran fields. Shotgun shooting is currently experiencing an influx of Junior shooters, which has two grades in shotgun competitions, Sub Juniors 12 to 14 years and Juniors 15 to 18 years. In 2016, a Super Veteran's grade was included for all shotgun disciplines for shooters who are aged 70+. For further information, contact: Greg Allen (SSAA NSW Shotgun Discipline Chairman) on 0409 444 955 or Jan Jacka (Discipline Assistant) 0417 459 053. You can also visit www.ssaa.org.au/shotgun.

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