Clay Target update

By Jacqueline Irving | Posted: Thursday October 12, 2023

The North Island and New Zealand Secondary School Clay Target Championships took place in Hamilton from 22 to 24 September.

Shamus Young, Hunter Burgess, Jackson Stevens, and Dustin Young flew north to take down as many clay targets as possible in Skeet and Down The Line events.

Zita Young, Melanie Burgess, Brendan Stevens, and Nelson Young took and supported their son's at this event. Our squad and supporters were fortunate that Brendan Stevens drove from Southland to Hamilton taking ammunition, and shelter in the form of gazebos, deck chairs, and other home comforts. This shelter proved essential in trying weather conditions. Our Otago Boys' contingent quickly became base camp for the students from the Northern Southland College, Columba, St Hilda's, and for Oakland, brother of Dustin and only John McGlashan student. Having spent weekends from May to October at intercollegiate events across Otago and Southland it was special that these students and families could reconnect and encourage each other at nationals.

Friday was a chance to settle into a new shooting environment for all and practice. The Waikato Clay Target Club is the training ground for New Zealand teams in the North Island. Saturday brought wind and rain. No medals for our students as they competed in the North Island Down The Line Championships. On Sunday, conditions for the New Zealand Down The Line Championships improved and so did our student's results. We are very proud that in addition to outstanding individual results for Shamus, our students were selected for the following team events as part of the national competitions. Shamus made the South Island team to shoot against the North Island team. This was won by the North Island team, however Shamus was named as one of the top five scores. All four boys Shamus, Hunter, Jackson, and Dustin together with Dustin's brother Oakland from JMC made the Otago team that shot in the provincial shot-off.

On Monday, Jackson Stevens and Dustin Young competed in both the North Island and New Zealand Secondary School which were held back to back in exceptionally windy conditions. This is their first year doing skeet and the best is yet to come. To shoot at the national competition level is no easy feat and we are proud of our boys. 

This is the first time since 2019 that we have had nationals in Hamilton due to Covid. We have been in Christchurch and Invercargill across the last three years. 

A big acknowledgement to their families who supported their son's, and also accompanied them throughout this opportunity. Our school clay target season now draws to an end. We hope next year not to clash with water polo and rugby championships which prevented additional boys joining this squad in Hamilton. To all boys who have participated this year, you should already have Christchurch in your sight. We encourage boys to shoot at and support their local clubs over the summer period.

Results:

Shamus Young, Year 12
Competed in NI and NZSS DTL Championships
NZ Single Rise - 3rd Open Championship
NZ Single Rise HOA - 3rd Boys
DTL North Island vs South Island Team Open Team 2nd. Shamus 1st= Top individual score.
DTL North Island V South Island Top Score
DTL Provincial team for Otago

Hunter Burgess, Year 12
Competed in NI and NZSS DTL Championships
DTL Provincial team for Otago

Jackson Stevens, Year 11
Competed in NI and NZSS DTL Championships
DTL Provincial team for Otago
Competed in NI and NZSS Skeet Championships

Dustin Young, Year 10
Competed in NI and NZSS DTL Championships
DTL Provincial team for Otago
Competed in NI and NZSS Skeet Championships

Image Gallery