Image: ©ISSF NEWS 2/2017
I was born in Yarrawonga in 1995 and grew up on the family farm in Mulwala, NSW.
I had a pretty normal childhood as far as farm life goes but even from an early age Dad would take me chasing foxes, fishing and camping so I guess I was destined to choose a sport / hobby that involved at least one of these things, lucky for me the sport of Clay Target Shooting has the ability to take me all the way, to the Olympic Games.
I started competitive shooting at age 14 and from there I progressed up the ranks quickly, obviously with the help of mum and dad and their guidance but we were also lucky enough to have Clay Target Shooting as a school sport so, as most 14 year old boys from the country would do, I said sign me up. The love of competitive shooting took off from there.
Fast forward 8 years from then I have competed for my country numerous times in junior and open competitions and have tasted success at the highest levels and it truly is amazing to look back on the last 8 years and think wow, how have I come this far? But trust me, when I do think back, I remember all the training in the 45˚ heat or the freezing rain, all the cuts on my cheek or bruises on my shoulder from excessive training, the thousands of clay target boxes we have loaded by hand into our bunker at home, but you know what? I wouldn’t change it for the world, I love what I do and I’m so grateful I get to compete on the world stage at something I love.
