South Island and New Zealand Secondary School Clay Target Championships
By Jacqueline Irving | Posted: Thursday October 20, 2022
On Friday, September 30th our squad of all hostel students travelled with parents to Christchurch in time for an orientation and practice at the Canterbury Clay Target Club at McLeans Island.
Scott and Rachael Nicholson, Maree Whitely, Brendan Stevens, Zita Young, Grant Scurr and Karl Burgess all travelled to Christchurch and together supported the squad on and off the shooting range.
The boys were fortunate to have their coach Mr Bill McKinley drive up and stay at the Canterbury Club to support and encourage our students across the four days.
Rachael Nicholson did an outstanding job of coordinating accommodation and food for this event. It was BBQ Chef Scott Nicholson's last outing keeping hot food up to us all. I also wish to acknowledge Maree Whitely who has been our go to on scoring, rules and regulations which at times can be complicated across events.
Saturday, 1st October
The SISS Championships DTL competition commenced with a safety briefing at 8am followed by Single Rise, Points Score and Single Barrel events.
Team A:
Nicholas Sim (Year 13), Ollie Nicholson (Year 13), Shamus Young (Year 11), Jackson Stevens (Year 10) and Darrius Rogers (Year 10).
Team B:
Hunter Burgess (Year 11), Charlie Scurr (Year 11), Dustin Young (Year 9), Sam Bonney (Year 13) from Taieri College and Toby Lavery (Year 11) from Christchurch Boys' High School made up the rest of this team.
It was a long day with over 300 students competing. Competition for final placings went until 6.45pm and we lost daylight. This was followed by prizegiving.
Sunday, 2nd October
The NZSS Clay Target Championships DTL competition consisted of Single Rise, Points Score and Single Barrel events.
Both teams competed in these events, with Nicholas Sim winning the Highest Overall Score for Single Barrel.
Monday, 3rd October
South Island and New Zealand Skeet events took place. Skeet team members were Nicholas Sim and Ollie Nicholson. Nicholas and Ollie also were part of the New Zealand Fish and Game Regional Team for DTL competitions.
South Island/NZ School Shoot Results:
NZ HOA Single Barrel - Nicholas Sim (OBHS).
Regional team - Ollie Nicholson (OBHS), Nick Sim (OBHS), Kohen Bryant-Saunders (Dunstan High School), Sam Bonney (Taieri College), Rosa Smith (St Hilda's).
Since these championships, Ollie Nicholson has made the South Island Under 18 Skeet team.
South Island HOA Single Barrel - Sam Bonney (Taieri College).
Finally, we have to soon farewell Nicholas Sim and Ollie Nicholson. These are our outstanding role models and talented Year 13 shooters who shot their last event representing Otago Boys' High School at Nationals. They have both set the standard high and are admired by our younger shooters. These boys hold titles beyond school at national level. Their shooting careers will be worth following closely.
Together, Maree Whitely and Peter Sim, Rachael and Scott Nicholson have been the backbone of Clay Target Shooting at Otago Boys' High School. Their efforts, knowledge and goodwill has kept this sport alive which has allowed it to grow to give other students and their families opportunities to engage in this sport. Thank you to all our Clay Target families who have supported us across many events across the lower South Island this year. We have been fortunate to have a great group of boys and families on board.
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