No small bore when there?s a rifle in your hand
By Tim O?Connell
Local small bore rifle clubs are still enjoying a healthy amount of interest from locals-with plenty of room for others to take up the call to arms. President of the Wellington Small-Bore Rifle Association Neil Kinsey says the sport is one of 31 regional associations throughout New Zealand, with membership in the capital being one of the country?s fastest-growing. While overseas clubs tend to have a plethora of outdoor ranges, Mr Kinsey says that aspects such as weather and space mean that most of Wellington?s facilities provide indoor shooting at a distance of 25 yards or 22.8 metres. Hunkered away beside the railway station in Khandallah is one of the more inconspicuous ranges in the city, home to what Mr Kinsey terms ?one and a half clubs.? But while the Ngaio Club has maintained a sizeable membership for many years, the recent fortunes of neighbouring club Onslow have seen a gradual drop in numbers-down to just three. Nevertheless, the crack of rifle fire can be heard most week nights at the Cashmere Avenue club, although Onslow is hopeful of getting the numbers back up in the near future. The Ngaio Club was also the starting point for one of the Wellington Association?s shooting stars. Richard Hearne has already tasted plenty of success at a local and national level, after piercing his first targets with Ngaio in his formative years. Despite missing out on a spot in the Beijing Olympics last year, Mr Kinsey counts the 28-year-old has many more years to make up for his 2008 oversight. Mr Kinsey says the sport is one that can be taken up by families and people of all ages, with different grades enabling competitors to rise through the ranks as their skills increase. ?It?s even to your ability-a physically strong man won?t necessarily have it all over a smaller or younger opponent,? he says. ?We had one of our members finally get his D grade representative badge at 89 years of age.? Up the road in Petone, participation appears to be just as well supported-if not better. Hutt Valley Smallbore Rifle Association President Con Abbott says the club, which is based in Halford Place in Petone, enjoys a regular membership of "between 60 and 70." Like its northern counterparts, Mr Abbott says the sport has a broad range of ages that line up on the mounds each Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, from teenagers through to 80 years. "It's definitely all in the technique," he says with a chuckle.
