SSAA Fly Shoot Nationals, sponsored by Nightforce – Majura ACT

The  Fly Shoot Nationals for 2026, sponsored by Nightforce, returned to the place where the event was first conceived, the SSAA Majura range in our National Capital. With 81 individual competitors, making up 207 total entries, this was the biggest turnout to a Fly event ever, and it was great to see the spirit of the Fly and Rule 10*on full display throughout the entire long weekend.

Saturday saw the Light Guns take to the line with 64 competitors. Canberra is notorious for tricky winds and bad mirage; however, Saturday would see unusually calm conditions and little to no mirage, making it easy to see practically all shots on target. These conditions and the level of competition saw the top 4 finishers all break the previous Light Gun range record for total score. In the end, it was Keiton Puzey from WA who managed to take out the top spot with a score of 275.03 and won the Jim McKinley Trophy. Anthony Hall (268.02) took 2^nd  with Chris Parry (267.05) taking 3rd. Matt Riches broke another range record, shooting the Smallest Group with 0.782”, while Eli Groves shot the Highest Scoring Target with 59.01.

Come Sunday, it was time to bring out the Heavy Guns; 68 competitors lined up to try their best to hit that ever-elusive fly. Conditions had turned slightly, although they remained extremely favourable by Canberra standards. At the end of the day, Mark Lacey from Qld secured the top spot with 263.03, followed closely by Brian Wray (262.02) and Keiton Puzey (257.04). Mark Lacey also shot the Small Group with 1.495” and Brian Wray shot the High Scoring Target with 59.00.

On Monday, a last shot was fired for Andy Santa, and the Andy Santa perpetual Trophy was introduced; it would be awarded to the highest scoring junior from any class at the Federal Cup.

As the 200yd rimfire got underway with 72 competitors, conditions quickly changed, with many competitors losing shots out to the V or off the target altogether in the switching winds, Canberra was finally showing its true form. At the end of the day it was ACT local Dave Groves who secured victory with 274.04 and walked away with the Stuart Elliot Cup.  Dave was followed by Keiton Puzey (262.07) and Michael Bell (260.03). The small group of 1.228 was shot by Michael Bell, and Keiton Puzey shot the Highest-scoring target with 59.03.

Once all the 1035 targets had been scored and tallied, Keiton was the 2026 SSAA Fly Nationals 3 gun grand aggregate winner with a score of 794.14.   Second was Mark Lacey with a score of 782.09, and Chris Parry was 3rd with 771.10.

And of course, competing along with everyone else over the 3 days were our juniors. Winning Centrefire 15-18 years and taking home the inaugural Andy Santa Trophy was Eli Groves with 261.02. Eli was followed by Deamon E and Ewan Prest. Winning the Under 15 years Centrefire was Lawson Starr. Remaining consistent as always and winning the Rimfire 15-18 years was again Eli Groves (257.04) followed by Deamon E and Ewan Prest, while Lawson Starr secured the Under 15 years Rimfire.

In 2023, the State teams were introduced, and the scores of the top 3 competitors from each State were tallied to give an overall combined score. Congratulations to our QLD competitors for taking out the State award, beating out NSW and then WA.

On behalf of everyone, I would like to thank Nightforce, our major sponsor. Their contribution of a Nightforce Custom Competition Scope to the prize table is greatly appreciated, and congratulations to Daemon E on winning it. It was great to see such a fantastic prize go to one of our junior competitors. I’m sure you will put it to good use for many years to come.

Of course, we must not forget our supporting sponsors, No Fuss Homeloans, South Side Reloading, Rubies Community Care, Seb Shooting Products, and our mysterious, anonymous donor. Your support and contributions are greatly appreciated.

• Bynote:

The original Rule 10 of the Fly shoot was “Any competitor found not enjoying themselves shall be disqualified” and whilst never enforced, captures the ethos and objective of Fly Shooting, an enjoyable event to challenge the competitors and their equipment.