Gunnedah Sporting Clays hosted the largest national event for Sporting Clays Australia last weekend bringing in hundreds of nationally-ranked competitors.
Gunnedah hosted the Sporting Clays Nationals for the first time during the state’s turn to see the championship on home soil.
Sporting clays is a discipline where targets are thrown from different heights and distances to simulate field.
The Bulga Road grounds were packed with professional shooters from Friday until Sunday representing almost all Australian states.
A total of 360 competitors were in town for their chance to take the national title and the state team title.
It was a record number of people at the club, with about 500-600 people in total making their way into town.
Spokesperson for Gunnedah Sporting Clays, Scott Kelly, said the event was well received and the weekend run well.
A total of 200 targets per competitor were thrown.
The nationals are also an opportunity to potentially pick next year’s Australian team for the world championships.
Gunnedah and Tamworth have benefitted from the competition, with visitors booking out hotels and touring the town.
It was Victoria that came in first for the team competition with a score of 1114 with South Australia in second, followed closely by Queensland with eight points less.
Jeremy Kent took out the high gun with a score of 179.
Hard work was done by club members in preparation including new tracks and equipment.
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson visited the club on the Sunday and had previously assisted the club in securing a grant to host the event.
Many people participating in the nationals have chosen to stay in the area for Gunnedah’s annual Gumtree championship.
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