Damien Marangon to retire as Shooting Australia CEO

After seven years with Shooting Australia–six as Chief Executive Officer–Damien Marangon announced his resignation today.

Shooting Australia President Cath Fettell praised Damien for his leadership of the organisation. “Damien has been a terrific CEO and he has done a wonderful job delivering tangible outcomes and professionalising Shooting Australia. During his tenure the sport has delivered Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the best-ever individual gold medal tally at a Commonwealth Games and continues to deliver consistently on the world stage.”

Fettell continued, “Damien leaves our sport in a strong position with a high-performance program that delivers consistent world-class results, excellent relationships with Federal and State governments, increased funding, new partnerships with the National Institute Network, and a peak body organisation which is respected nationally and internationally.

Marangon reflected on his achievements during his time with Shooting Australia: “It has been an honour and a privilege to lead this sport and I am truly grateful for the opportunity. I leave knowing that the sport is in a great place and that its future is bright.”

“Perhaps more than anything else I am proud of how Shooting Australia now sees itself: as a professional and successful high-performing organisation.”

Marangon’s last day with Shooting Australia will be Friday 12 April 2019.

Media Contact
Kelly Wright – 0411 149 995

Bronze for the Mixed Team

Day two medals two! Natalie Smith and Glen McMurtrie have taken the bronze medal in the inaugural Rifle Standing Mixed Team at the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club

“It’s an honour to be among the first medalists in a brand new WSPS event,” said McMurtrie when asked after the win.

“Our shooting seemed to complement each other and it was fun to work as a team.” said Smith about the bronze winning team. “I’m glad that it (the Rifle Standing Mixed Team event) will be kept in the program going forward.”

High Performance Team Manager Kurt Olsen also added: “This is a great result, showing what we can achieve as we work together and take on the rest of the world”

Action in Al Ain continues until 24 February, with live results available on World Shooting Para Sport’s website.

Anton Zappelli takes Bronze

In a great start to the year for our Para Shooters Western Australian Anton Zappelli has taken the bronze medal in the R3 10m Air Rile Prone Mixed SHI on day one of the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.

“I’m happy that all my hard work is starting to pay off,” said Zappelli when asked after the win.

High Performance Team Manager Kurt Olsen added: “This is a great start to the Al Ain World Cup. It gives us a great platform to build momentum for the rest of the week and then on to the World Championships in Sydney later this year.”

The Al Ain World Shooting Para Sport World Cup is an important chance for our athletes to secure qualification slots for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and will run run 16 to 24 February.

Richard Sammon confirmed as Shotgun National Team Coach.

After a recruitment process generating national and international interest Shooting Australia has named Richard Sammon as Shotgun National Team Coach. “Richard is a well-established member of our Shotgun community and we are delighted with his appointment,” commented Shooting Australia High Performance Director Adam Sachs.

“Richard is a very genuine person with strong values and high integrity,” Sachs continued. “These assets, complemented by his passion for learning and helping others to learn, will make him an excellent leader of our Shotgun National Team.”

Sammon has already provided critical support to the Shotgun National Team at national camps and international events as an Assistant Coach, developing strong working relationships with the Shotgun athletes and their personal coaches.

“I am honoured and excited to lead our National Shotgun Team through the 2019 season and into the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” said Sammon. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to build on what is already a strong program with a group that has enormous potential.”

There will be little time to settle in, with the International Season kicking off in March 2019 with the first Shotgun World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico.

“The direction in which our Team is heading is very exciting and I can’t wait to get started helping our athletes achieve their goals leading into 2020,” observed the new coach. “Our focus for this year is attaining additional quota positions to add to the two quotas already secured at the 2018 World Championships in Changwon, South Korea.”

Sachs added, “With fewer than 18 months until the 2020 Olympic Games Richard and our athletes have important work to do. I am confident that Richard’s energy and professionalism, and the fantastic working relationships that he has already developed with the athletes and their personal coaches, are a strong foundation for the success of our Shotgun National Team in Tokyo next year.”

Volunteers and Officials Expression of Interest 2019

Shooting Australia (SA) is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified Sports Specific Volunteers and National Technical Officials to assist in delivering two major events at the end of 2019.

WSPS World Championships 9-19th October
Oceania Championships 1-9th November

Please see linked here the EOI for SSV’s and NTO’s for the WSPS World Championships and the Oceania Championships at the Sydney International Shooting Centre.

The EOI’s will close at the end of May 2019. 

If you require further information please do not hesitate to email Hayley at [email protected]

Position Vacant – VIS Performance Lifestyle Adviser & Athlete Wellbeing & Engagement Lead

The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) in partnership with Shooting Australia (SA) is seeking to appoint a PL Adviser and AW&E Lead for the sport of Shooting.

Please find linked here the job advertisement and position description link.

Applications must be emailed to [email protected] no later than 5.00pm on Tuesday 5 February.

Applicants should provide a letter of application, current CV and address the essential/desirable qualifications, experience and skills criteria outlined in the Position Description. Applicants who fail to do so will not be considered.

Interviews will be scheduled for Wednesday 20 February 2019.


Introducing our new Community Development Officer

Shooting Australia is excited to welcome Anne-Marie Nickless, who has been appointed as Community Development Officer.

Joining SA after more than 10 years with Tennis South Australia, Anne-Marie brings strong leadership skills from extensive experience in managing both staff and volunteers. During her time working for Tennis SA, Anne-Marie assumed roles for several major international events including Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Adelaide International ATP event, City of Playford Tennis International and World Tennis Challenge.

Taking on the role after the departure of Jaime Drumm, Anne-Marie has experience across all areas of sport participation. This includes roles in volunteer and coach education, facility development, club management, implementing participation activities and growing programs with links to local clubs.

SA would like to thank former Community Development Officer, Jaime Drumm who has taken on a role in his own business. Jaime was one of SA’s most visible and well received team members among our sport community. His achievements include driving the delivery of our successful National Come and Try May program and, more recently, reviewing and updating our para classification resources.

Anne-Marie has commenced in the role of Community Development Officer at the SA National Office in Adelaide and can be contacted at [email protected] or on +61 8 8177 1860.