The annual SSAA Air Rifle Field Target National Championships were hosted by SSAA Tin Can Bay in the beautiful Cooloola region of Queensland from the 26th to the 28th of September 2025.

Competitors from as far away as ACT and Townsville made the long journey and were once again met with near perfect weather and welcoming arms by the Tin Can Bay members to what they broadly consider is the best dedicated SSAA outdoor air rifle facility in Queensland if not Australia.

The weekend began with the usual protocols then a minute of silence was called for in remembrance of recently passed Tin Can Bay member Brian Leach. Brian is widely considered by many in the air rifle community as one of the god fathers of the discipline. A patriarch of the sport, it was his vision to build the best air rifle facility in the state. The club then unveiled a plaque in Brian’s memory which aptly renamed range 4 (the air rifle range) as Leachys Range. A fitting tribute to a great mate!

Saturday was the Open-Air Rifle Field Target event which encompasses two concurrent classes of rifle, Open PCP Air Rifle and International PCP air rifle which saw a total of 26 competitors (22 adults and 4 juniors) line up to take on what proved to be an extremely challenging and varied course.

Shifting breezes and changing light conditions ensured those competing had to be on their game as hold offs varied and shadows caused many to second guess their ranging.

Top scorer of the day was Queenslander Stefan Viljoen scoring and impressive double 47/50 for a total of 94/100 taking our both Open Air Rifle and International classes. Spencer Peters took out top 15-18yrs junior with 40/50 and 42/50 giving him both the Open and International classes. Even more impressive is the fact that this was Spencer’s first ever Air Rifle Field Target Competition entering the weekend as and ungraded competitor. Dylan Oliver took out the top place in under 15 years junior for both the Open and International classes with 17/50 and 22/50.

Sunday was Springer day and saw a total of 18 competitors of which there were 6 competitors who had never fired a spring piston rifle in competition previously, embrace the “dark side” and test their resolve in shooting the springer classes. This is also a concurrent event which encompasses both Open Springer and International Springer classes.

Top accolades for the day went to ACT legend Darius Krivanek posting a 41/50 in once again, very tricky conditions thus giving him the win in both the Open and International classes, with Spencer Peters and Dylan Oliver taking out the 15-18 years and under 15 year junior divisions respectively.

The 2 gun and National Championship accolades went to Darius Krivanek with Stefan Viljoen and Jared McCarthy taking second and third places respectively. Spencer Peters and Dylan Oliver took out the top placing for 15-18yrs and under 15 years juniors.

In conclusion the weekend was filled with plenty of laughs, a few tears and plenty of good company. Our Tin Can Bay family, as always, hosted a wonderful event, kept us fed and entertained and as always, we can’t wait to go back again.