Sam Watson
by senior correspondent Jennifer Martens
Being a teenager is often about conformity, but to be a teenage sporting shooter, you sometimes have to shrug convention and be prepared to be a bit of an individual. Sam Watson of Gippsland, Victoria, admits that he is different to most other 16-year-old kids, but only because he is a sporting shooter. Take that out of the equation and he is an average teen. He enjoys playing the saxophone, participating in sports (specifically javelin), rollerblading, watching movies and, of course, simply hanging out with his mates.
Sam’s introduction to the shooting sports goes as far back as he can remember. He grew up accompanying his dad on his various hunting trips. Throughout the years, he has grown to appreciate and enjoy everything about the sport, from “the adrenalin rush of shooting a stage of IPSC, to knowing the exact ballistics behind each round and constantly trying to figure out ways of making firearms more accurate.”
Most boys are fierce competitors, but when it comes to firearms, Sam says that winning isn’t all that important to him. “I really don't care about being the best or beating everyone else,” says Sam, “I really just love the sport.”
That enthusiasm sees him train for IPSC at the range once a month and practice dry-firing, reloading and target acquisition on a daily basis. He hopes that his training will one day result in a spot on the IPSC national team and a chance to compete at a World Championship event.
Helping him along the path to his goals are his IPSC pistol coaches Gary Fallon, a friend of his grandfather, and Scott Seddon, who Sam says is a keen IPSC shooter “who loves to see me shoot and who teaches me everything he knows”. Ross Turnbull is the ‘go to’ guy for target rifle shooting and when it comes to hunting sambar and feral animals, Sam relies on his dad. With such a great support group and the right attitude and focus, there is no limit to what Sam can achieve.
At the range, Sam’s quick reflexes and target acquisition have proven to be real assets. Away from the range, he’s known for defending the shooting sports, while in the field, he is learning to perfect the art of stalking. No doubt his four years of gymnastics training has helped reduce the advantage the mighty sambar deer have over him.
Everyone has weaknesses. Sam says his are his height, his zeal regarding correct shooting terminology, and dancing and singing. Fortunately for him, neither of the latter two is required to excel in IPSC.
During his shooting career, he has represented Victoria twice in ISSF and competed at a Victorian level for IPSC. When it comes to competitions, he admits he has a lot of room for improvement, but as his coaches will tell you, that improvement will come simply because he loves the sport. In 2008, Sam was selected as one of only 10 juniors to attend a coaching course in Brisbane, proving he is definitely one to watch in the sport.
Being a keen sporting shooter, Sam has spent a fair bit of time learning about the different types of ammunition and firearms available. As a keen reloader, he’s also become quite knowledgeable about pairing the different types of ammunition with the right firearm.
Sam’s current tools of choice include a Glock 34 in 9mm for IPSC and a .303, a modified K98 Mauser and a short Spanish Mauser for hunting. His involvement in the Australian Army Cadets has given him access to firearms he would not typically have a chance to use. For instance, he has shot a Steyr Aug-88 and when he marches in the dawn services on Anzac Day, he will get to do so with a military SLR L1A1. Being a cadet also gives Sam “extended time in the bush for learning survival techniques and general bush treatment”.
As he is only 16, Sam has a lot of decisions yet to make in his life. One of the most important ones has to do with his education. “I am trying really hard at school so I can get a really high entrance score for university,” said Sam. At this stage, he’s leaning towards studying electronic or aerospace engineering at the Australian Defence Force Academy and then joining the army.
On the surface, Sam may seem like an average teen, but when you get to know him, you find that he is indeed one of a kind.
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