Clay Target Shooting, began in 1875 when clay targets were introduced as an alternative live birds. It is now a growing sport where shooters enjoy an exciting and challenging time, honing hand-eye coordination.
This month we shine our spotlight to 16 year old, Clay Target Shooter, Abby Wason.
“I’m Abby Wason, I’m 16 years old and a Clay Target Shooter from central NSW. I started competing in Clay Target Shoots in late 2017. My dad is a shooter and I thought it would be fun to try this sport after watching other Junior Shooters when he was competing.
I won my first shoot in January 2018 in Grafton, winning the C Grade Single Barrel. I continued to have success at small local shoots and quickly made my way into B grade (hitting 87-94% of targets). I finished out 2018 by winning my funniest prize - a total of 11 frozen chickens at Barellan’s Christmas shoot.
Soon after my 15th birthday in 2019, my dad and I travelled 6 hours to Coonamble’s 2 day shoot. I had a great weekend catching up with many friends and winning the Ladies High Gun, 1st in B Grade Point Score and Double Barrel. I also excitingly came 2nd out of 78 shooters in the 30-target Handicap event.
In May 2019 I finally won my first Handicap event at my local club West Wyalong, shooting 25/25 targets.
In July 2019 I competed at the Central Zone Carnival and was selected as the first Lady shooter for our zone. Being selected meant that in October I would compete at the NSW State Carnival in Wagga representing my zone. When competing at the State Carnival we were unable to gain a win with our Ladies team but I did have success shooting as an individual, coming 2nd in B Grade Single Barrel.
Later in October I travelled to Deniliquin for a great weekend of shooting - winning the B grade High Gun, B Grade Point Score, B Grade Double Barrel, Ladies Single Barrel and Ladies Double Rise before most excitingly being regraded to A grade (hitting between 94-97% of targets).
Towards the end on 2019 I represented my school, Ungarie Central School, at the NSW Northern School Carnival. I was honoured to win the Ladies High Gun and be the first recipient of the Cherie Hunter Memorial Shield.
I started off 2020 very similarly to my first shoot in 2018 but this time in Grafton I won the Overall Single Barrel Championship, beating all shooters competing.
I regularly shoot at local competitions within 1 ½ hours travelling of home and then when possible we travel further to bigger events. There is a fun social side to Clay Target Shooting also as lots of people camp at the grounds when they are 2 day events. I have met friends from all around NSW and we love travelling to competitions and spending the weekend together.
As well as Clay Target shooting I love playing Netball and our team were the U16’s Premiers for our league in 2019. I can’t wait for sporting competitions to begin again after the COVID-19 restrictions ease and I can get back to enjoying my sports and seeing my friends regularly.
PS: In December 2019 I donated my hair to ‘Variety – Hair With Heart’ to make wigs for kids, that’s why the photos of me look so different!”
Our mission is to help celebrate wins and inspire many more, by hanging medals properly.
Keep posting photos of your Medal Displays to our Facebook page or tag @MedalDisplays on Instagram for your chance to be featured and earn yourself a free Medal Display!
Plus, you never know who you might inspire!
We're super excited about this as we know that behind every collection of medals is an awesome story!
