2009 NRA National Smallbore Matches
22-30 July 2009

SSAA’s Chris Gulvin, Rod Frisby, KadieJayne Tirkot
and Will Godward. The 2009 NRA National Smallbore matches were held at Camp Perry in Ohio from July 22 to 30. The SSAA team for the NRA Smallbore 3-Positional and Prone matches were Rod Frisby (SA), Will Godward (SA), Chris Gulvin (WA) and KadieJayne Tirkot (WA). KadieJayne is our first female SSAA team member to compete at Camp Perry. Accompanying them was SSAA National Secretary Kaye McIntyre. Also along to enjoy the experience and support the team was Chris’s father Trevor and his grandfather Bob.

The SSAA began its sponsorship of a four-person team in the US Smallbore Nationals in 2004. Teams were also sponsored in 2006 and 2007. To make the team for the US, one must compete at the SSAA Field Rifle and 3-Positional National Titles. The highest placed shooters at the SSAA Nationals are then selected for the trip to the US. In previous NRA matches at Camp Perry, our SSAA Smallbore team contested the 3-Position Any Sight match, but this year, they elected to compete in all 3P and Prone Smallbore events - Metallic and Any Sights. The full program looked a bit daunting, with three days of 3-Position matches, followed by five days of Prone matches. Not having shot all that much Prone before, each member of the team was wondering how well they would cope with three Prone matches, totalling 120 shots each day, for five consecutive days.

Nevertheless, the team performed well, with their best result being second place outright in the 3-Position Any Sight team match against 47 other teams from the US, Great Britain and Ireland. This is the best result so far since SSAA’s participation in 2004. KadieJayne and Chris both shot a perfect 400 in the Prone Any Sight match. Will took first place in the 3-Position Any Sight Championship in Expert classification and Rod was happy with 398 out of 400 in the Prone Any Sight team match.

In July, Australia is in the depth of winter. However, in Ohio, it is often about 30C, rather humid, with frequent storms coming down into the US from Canada. The weather was a significant factor during the events, with high winds, high temperatures and humidity, torrential rain and lightning, which, at one staged, caused a range closure. In one of the Prone matches shot while the rain poured down, the shooters had to continually mop-out their chambers, as they kept filling with water, even though they had overhead covers on the firing line.

The firing line at Camp Perry was set up for around 200 Smallbore shooters - an impressive sight for anyone, but particularly for new competitors to Camp Perry. With more than 300 competitors shooting each day, there were two relays or details for each match.

Early on practice day, the first priority for shooters and supporters is to get their tents, tables and chairs set up behind or close to their firing positions. The colorful display of various sized shelters, tents and marquees with state and team flags flying is amazing and gives the event a carnival atmosphere. The Australian tent proudly flew the Australian flag and the SSAA shooting team banner, creating a small Australian colony in the sea of color and American state patriotism.

During the day, around 50m behind the tent city, shooting equipment retail stores set up in a number of buildings. Designated ‘Commercial Row’, these shops proved to be a real drawing card for the Australian shooters in between competition. There was no time to get bored or laze about with shooting and these shops so close by and with great prices!

KadieJayne receives her medal. Shooting started at 8am each day, so it was always an early start to be on the range by 7am and get everything organised. Each day started with ‘Colours’ - the playing of the American national anthem and firing of the canon, then came the call to the line for the first relay. Shooting finished between 4 and 5pm on most days.

After a few heavy storms, it was always a relief when we arrived at the range in the mornings to see our Aussie tent still standing. A number of shelters and tents were actually blown away during a particularly bad storm!

On team days, the allocated firing points changed. This meant that many teams needed to move their ‘homes’ to be closer to their firing line positions. We were fortunate that we didn’t have to move our set-up, as our friends from the Connecticut Blue Trail Range shooting team made room for the Aussies in their large shelter. The support they have given to every one of our SSAA Smallbore team each time we have attended Camp Perry has been invaluable, as is their friendship.

All teams shoot together in the one relay. The four team members shoot side-by-side and have a coach with them on the line. Trevor Gulvin was the Australian coach for all SSAA team matches. Trevor, an active SSAA competition shooter, has competed in international events, most recently the Pacific Regional Shooting Championships in 2008, so was well placed to assist and support the team in the role of coach while they were shooting.

At Camp Perry, there are opportunities to nominate and shoot in other events, such as the Mentor match. This match is a special team event for a shooter (mentor) and a junior to shoot together on the line. Will Godward accepted an invitation to shoot in this event and he competed with Andrew, a junior from the Connecticut Blue Trail Range team. While they did not place in the event, their participation was a great experience for both of them.

While the competition was the prime focus of the trip, the formal social side was not forgotten. We attended two presentation evenings, one each for 3-Position and Prone, and were guests at the Stinknik Rifle Club Banquet, the Blackhawk Club Banquet and the Match Director’s Reception.

Nine days of shooting, with early mornings, long days and different and difficult weather conditions every day was tiring and it was somewhat of a relief when we packed up the tent and gear to know that the shooting events were over.

However, overall, the competition and trip was very successful, with all team members acting as ambassadors for both the SSAA and Australia. Many friendships have been forged and others rekindled through this shooting event. Our involvement in the competitions is welcomed and encouraged by the NRA and by the many participants in the events. Besides the team achieving some good scores, the friendliness, support and genuine interest of the range officials, staff, volunteers and competitors all contributed to make the trip one to remember.

Full results can be found at on the NRA competition website at www.nrahq.org