Another month full of amazing happenings around the country and internationally! Let’s recap February activities and have a look at what is coming up! Plus, some useful information and resources!
GOLD FOR PENNY SMITH AT THE QATAR GRAND PRIX
The Amir Shotgun Grand Prix was held in February at the Lusail Shooting Centre, Qatar.
Shooting Australia selected athlete, Penny Smith, competed in the Women’s Trap event. This Grand Prix was Penny’s first international competition post her bronze medal winning performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Smith secured a spot in the final after shooting a qualification score of 117 out of 125 targets. Finishing in equal second, Smith entered a shoot off against Satu Makela-Nummela (FIN) to determine Bib numbers 2 and 3 in the final. Penny won the shoot off, securing bib number 2, and she did not stop there!
In the single barrel final (one shot fired at each target), Smith shot a total of 44 out of 50 targets, claiming the gold medal win over Makela-Nummela who took home the silver. Ray Bassil (LBN) won the bronze medal.
Of her return to international competition Smith said, “It was great to be back on the international circuit. Obviously I did not go to the World Cup Final [at the end of 2024] and decided to come to Qatar for the start of my 2025 season.”
Reflecting on the gold medal win Smith said, “It is always great to come home with a podium finish but ourThe Amir Shotgun Grand Prix was held in February at the Lusail Shooting Centre, Qatar.
Shooting Australia selected athlete Penny Smith competed in the Women’s Trap event. This Grand Prix was Penny’s first international competition post her bronze medal winning performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Smith secured a spot in the final after shooting a qualification score of 117 out of 125 targets. Finishing in equal second, Smith entered a shoot off against Satu Makela-Nummela (FIN) to determine Bib numbers 2 and 3 in the final. Penny won the shoot off, securing bib number 2, and she did not stop there!
In the single barrel final (one shot fired at each target), Smith shot a total of 44 out of 50 targets, claiming the gold medal win over Makela-Nummela who took home the silver. Ray Bassil (LBN) won the bronze medal.
Of her return to international competition Smith said, “It was great to be back on the international circuit. Obviously I did not go to the World Cup Final [at the end of 2024] and decided to come to Qatar for the start of my 2025 season.”
Reflecting on the gold medal win Smith said, “It is always great to come home with a podium finish but our main focus was to just get back into the swing of international competition.”
Smith continued, “It was really nice to have some down time after the Games, shifting my focus from shooting to day to day life, working, finishing off my house renovations and enjoying time on the farm riding my horses.”
Other Aussies competing in Qatar in the Men’s Trap event were Mitch Iles, Domenic Sciglitano and James Willett, with Willett coming away with the gold medal. Shooting a qualification score of 120 out of 125, Willett secured his place in the final and after winning a shoot off against close friend Angelo Scalzone (ITA) was allocated bib number 5 for the final.
At the conclusion of the 50 target final, it was neck and neck between Willett and Mohammad Beyranvand (IRI) with Willet securing the gold medal with a score of 47, one target ahead of Beyranvand’s silver medal performance. Scalzone secured the bronze medal.
Iles narrowly missed out on a place in the final after shooting a qualification score of 119 out of 125, finishing in 8th place. Sciglitano shot 102 and finished in 72nd place.
SYDNEY CUP – PISTOL & RIFLE
The adrenaline was high as the first Shooting Australia Endorsed Event Series of 2025 for Pistol & Rifle athletes kicked off at the iconic Sydney International Shooting Centre (SISC). This premier event drew athletes from across the nation, with a strong showing from our rising Junior athletes.
With Junior World Cup (Suhl, May 2025) Selection Events 1 & 2 for the Pistol athletes and the first Selection Event for the Rifle athletes included, the competition was high. Athletes delivered precision and focus as they vied for a place on the Australian Team to compete on the world stage.
A massive thank you to the SISC staff, volunteers and officials whose dedication and hard work ensured an elite-level event ran seamlessly.
REWATCH THE FINALS ON SHOOTING AUSTRALIA TV
OFFICIATING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM LAUNCHES FOR 2025!
In February, Shooting Australia announced the 8 individuals who will take part in the 2025 Officiating Scholarship Program. This initiative is made possible through the significant financial contribution the Australian Sports Commission makes via the ‘Play Well’ strategy.
The February Sydney Cup was the first opportunity for some of our Scholarship recipients to commence their 2025 officiating pathway in the Pistol and Rifle disciplines.
This scholarship program presents an amazing opportunity for officials to continue to develop their skills and experience as they progress along the officiating pathway.
When we think about an Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane 2032, it is not only the development of athletes, but also the officials (and coaches) who are a significant component of the Games’ environment.
These officials will be supported throughout the year by three very experienced discipline specific mentors.
Congratulations to our 2025 scholars and thank you to all officials for your dedication to our sport!
2024 SHOOTING AUSTRALIA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE PRESENTATIONS CONTINUE
During the February Sydney Cup, Shooting Australia continued its presentation of the 2024 Shooting Australia Awards of Excellence.
Ellie Rudder was awarded the Shooting Australia High Performance Program Junior Pistol Athlete of the Year Award. Upon receiving this award Ellie was asked to summarise 2024 to which she very happily and humbly replied, “The results I had last year were unimaginable. I never expected to make Brazil [final Olympic Qualification competition], that was not in the plan whatsoever. So that was a nice note to how well my training had been going”
“Peru [2024 Junior World Championships], that was my goal so I was really happy to make it there and it was such an incredible experience and I can’t thank enough of everyone who has helped me get to that place, especially my fellow competitors, the officials who have always put on amazing events and of course my support team, thank you so much.”
When Ellie was asked what is in store for 2025 she said, “Suhl [Junior World Cup, May] is definitely on the cards!”
Other Awards and recognition were extended to:
SHOOTING AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES 50 STRONG NATIONAL SQUAD
Shooting Australia announced the names of 50 athletes who have been selected to the 2025 National Squad.
In 2025, Shooting Australia’s National Squad will incorporate two groups of athletes – Senior Performance and Junior Pathways. Chief Executive Officer, Adam Sachs, said, “As we transition from the Paris 2024 Olympic/Paralympic cycle to the LA 2028 cycle, it has been timely for us to review the structure and composition of Shooting Australia’s National Squads.
“I congratulate the 50 athletes across pistol, rifle and shotgun, para and able-bodied, who have met the criteria, and have been selected to a 2025 National Squad by the Selection Panel based on recommendations from our High Performance Program staff.”
READ THE 2025 NATIONAL SQUAD FULL STORY
ISSF PRESIDENT VISITS AUSTRALIA
In the last week of February, ISSF President, Luciano Rossi, accompanied by his wife Laura, visited Australia to connect with key stakeholders who will be making the decisions and play a significant part in how the shooting sport looks and is delivered during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is the first visit to Australia by a sitting ISSF President since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Accompanied by Shooting Australia CEO and ISSF Executive Committee member, Adam Sachs, AOC Executive Member, ISSF Vice President and Oceania Shooting Federation President, Cath Fettell, and Shooting Australia Precision Program Manager and Para Lead, Cat Berry, the ISSF President met with the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and the Brisbane 2032 Chief Executive Officer and Organising Committee.
The visit was influential in establishing strong international relationships within the sport that will undoubtedly pave the way towards an ongoing contribution to positively shaping the future of shooting sports in Australia, and the wider Oceania region.
SHOTGUN PROGRAM MANAGER
Shooting Australia (SA) is looking for the person that will lead its world-class Shotgun National Program to the LA 2028 Olympic Games and beyond.
POSITION: Shotgun Program Manager
APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: 10 March, 2025
HOW TO APPLY: Click on the button below
The Shotgun Program Manager (SPM) will lead the planning and delivery of SA’s world-class Shotgun National Program including the National Centre of Excellence in Melbourne, which operates through a partnership between SA and the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS). The SPM will work closely and collaboratively with a range of coaching and performance support staff from SA and the VIS to ensure that Australia’s best Shotgun athletes are challenged and supported to unlock their full performance potential through a contemporary approach in training – on and off the range – that will enable their success in peak international competitions.
For further information and to submit an application, please visit the link below.
SHOTGUN PROGRAM MANAGER APPLICATION
MARCH AND APRIL DOMESTIC ENDORSED EVENTS
PISTOL
VIC STATE TITLES INFORMATION AND ENTRY (CLOSED 7 FEB)
BISC CUP INFORMATION (CLOSES 12 MAR)
RIFLE
SOUTH AUS, STATE TITLES INFORMATION AND ENTRY (CLOSED 1 MAR)
TRA ISSF NATIONALS INFROMATION AND ENTRY (CLOSES 14 MAR)
SHOTGUN
YARRA VALLEY GP INFORMATION AND ENTRY (CLOSED 3 MAR)
NSW STATE TITLES INFORMATION AND ENTRY (CLOSES 19 MAR)
2025 SHOOTING AUSTRALIA DOMESTIC ENDORSED EVENTS
You can find all the information you need relating to the 2025 Shooting Australia Domestic Endorsed Events by visiting the Shooting Australia website.
SA 2025 DOMESTIC ENDORSED EVENTS
SA 2025 DOMESTIC ENDORSED EVENT CALENDAR
2025 NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION CRITERIA
2025 NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION CRITERIA
2025 NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION LEADERBOARDS
2025 NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION LEADERBOARDS
ATHELTE AVERAGE PERFORMANCE SCORES
ATHLETE AVERAGE PERFORMANCE SCORES
SHOOTING AUSTRALIA TV ON YOUTUBE
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Shooting Australia TV on YouTube where you will be able to re-watch domestic event coverage, hear from athletes post competition, and more! Best of all, it is free!
