Last week, 10 Australian para shooting athletes took part in a week-long training camp at the Brisbane International Shooting Centre. The camp brought together pistol and rifle athletes from varying stages of development, including talent transfer athletes familiar with high-performance systems through other sports, developing athletes progressing from grassroots to high performance, and an experienced cohort of internationally competitive para shooting athletes.
The camp aimed to bring everyone together to foster connection, encourage knowledge sharing, and support the ongoing development of athletes at varying stages of their para shooting journey. Precision Program Manager and Para Lead, Cat Berry, said “The camp provided a really beneficial platform for bringing everyone together and building a strong team toward 2026. It was also an opportunity for each athlete to set their individual plans for the year, with clear goals and touch points in place.”
With pistol and rifle coaches on hand, athletes had full access to technical and performance support throughout the camp. Cat said, “The camp provided a fantastic opportunity for athletes to train closely with the support and guidance of the coaches. It also created an opportunity for Elise Collier, who is part of the 2026 Shooting Australia Coach Development Program, to implement her learnings while working with the rifle athletes.”
The Danish team was also in camp, training alongside the Australian athletes. Cat said, “Training alongside other national teams always has its benefits and enables our athletes to engage with some of the world’s best. It also helps build relationships globally and creates familiar faces when we are competing internationally.”
With the talent identification and development of para shooting athletes a key focus of Shooting Australia’s LA2028+ High Performance Strategic Plan, Cat is excited about what lies ahead. She said, “I’m excited about the strong plans we have in place for our current cohort of athletes and the support that will guide them through their para shooting journey. We will continue to create opportunities for future generations of para-athletes through talent transfer camps, with the next opportunity to be scheduled in the coming months.”
The development of para shooting athletes is a collective effort, and Cat was keen to acknowledge those who have contributed. She said, “I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the contribution of their engineering team. Through the AIS Para Sport Equipment Enhancement Program, it has been possible for some athletes to access the equipment they need to train and compete. Training camps like the recent one in Brisbane are also reliant on range accessibility, and we are incredibly appreciative of the support we have received, and continue to receive, from the Brisbane International Shooting Centre, Queensland Target Sports, and Pistol Shooting Queensland.”
