SSAA Nickol Bay Branch
Western Australia Club Profile
According to local police instructors and an SAS captain from Swanbourne, the SSAA Nickol Bay facility is one of the best in the state. Located between Karratha and Dampier in Western Australia, the Branch was started in 1987 in Karratha, with members having to drive 50km each way to practise at the Roebourne/Wickham Range. Construction of the Nickol Bay Branch started that same year, with the first shoot being held in May of 1988.
In the beginning, only half a dozen shooters made up the ranks of the Branch, but these days there are about 45, including three junior and four lady shooters. A lot of people who move to the area do so on short-term contracts and therefore members come and go fairly regularly. However, there is rarely a shortage of shooters on the range, as a number of people travelling around Australia like to call in for a quick shot.
Facilities include a clubhouse, male and female toilets/showers, target sheds, permanent 240V power supply and a full camping area. There are eight pistol ranges, a 200m handgun metallic silhouette/rifle range and a Down the Line (DTL) shotgun range.
Members participate in the following disciplines, with practical pistol and shotgun being most popular:
- IPSC/SSAA Practical Pistol
- ACTA/SSAA Shotgun: DTL, Simulated Field and Sporting Clays, Tower
- IHMSA Handgun Metallic Silhouette
- SSAA Rimfire Rifle: Field Rifle, 3P, Metallic Silhouette, BR30
- SSAA Centrefire Rifle: Field Rifle, 3P, BR30
- SSAA Black Powder and Rifle
Tuesday nights see members taking part in holster training and, if all goes to plan, they may soon be able to do a bit of night shooting.
In February this year, the Branch participated in the Karratha City Shopping Centre Sports Awareness Day, which is an annual event that assists community sporting groups in introducing themselves to the public. The Nickol Bay Branch found this to be an excellent way of bringing some positive exposure to the sport and the Branch itself.
Those travelling through WA are more than welcome to drop by for a shot.
For more information contact: president Phil Nix on 0418 937 552 or fax 08 9185 6540.