A very busy Sunday of shooting, with our secondary schools teams shooting at Hutt Valley on Sunday afternoon, and carrying on with club night in the evening.  

Well done to Filly, Eleanor, Sienna and Zahra for representing Samuel Marsden College, and to Eli, Leo, Mikey and Nakul for representing Wellington College on Sunday afternoon.  Shooting at an unfamiliar range is always a challenge, as well as the busyness of so many shooters all at once.  You will have home range advantage for Round 2 on 24 August!

Interclub success

On Tuesday Brooklyn convincingly won the C Grade interclub match against Melrose: congratulations to Finn for top scoring with 99.7, and to Jaz for shooting 98.1, both of which earned the team bonus points in the competition.  Brooklyn also convincingly won the Open Grade interclub match against South Wellington: congratulations to Stephen for top scoring with 198.12 (including a 100).  

Different format on Sunday

Bex, Meredith and Mark are all away this week, shooting in the national North Island vs South Island competition.  The top shooters in this competition will go on to represent NZ - so we wish them well. Stephen will also be away this weekend.  

So we’re going to change things up for the first few squads, to focus on learning how to use a scope.  Using a scope will help you to better understand your shooting.  You will be able to observe what occurs when you take your shot (where did the rifle settle, on the centre of the target or up/down/left/right?) and immediately compare by observing your shot target through the scope.  Over time, this will enable you to adjust your position or your sights when needed.  Don’t worry, coaching won’t cease, but you will become more independent over time.

We’re also going to change things up for the senior shooters in the later squads, with 20-shot squads available on demand from round 5 onwards.  If you want to shoot a 20-shot, just note it on the squad sheet and prepare your cards accordingly.  Those completing a 10-shot card may quietly leave their gear and exit the range at the 12 minute mark. 

Upcoming events

• Sunday 17 August
  • 6pm club night, break week in the club competition; playing with scopes
• Sunday 24 August
  • 1:30pm for 2pm start, Wellington vs Hutt Valley Secondary Schools competition, Round 2, Royal Tiger Range, Newtown: Eleanor, Filly, Sienna, Zahra, Eli, Leo, Mikey and Nakul
  • 6pm Visitor night AND club night, break week in the club competition
• Friday 5 Sept to Sunday 7 Sept: TSNZ Secondary Schools Competition, Palmerston North:  Eleanor, Filly, Sienna, Eli and Mikey

Save the date

• Sunday 12 October: Brooklyn prize giving (details to follow)
• Saturday 18 October: WSRA end of season dinner and prizegiving (details to follow)

We had a massive weekend of shooting, with two events plus a busy club night on Sunday.

Brooklyn 110 Year Open Championship

The Brooklyn 110 Year Open Championship on Saturday was a great event.  Sincere thanks to everyone who helped to make the day a success. Congratulations to our members who achieved success in their grades:

• Master Grade: Bex, 3rd with 298.19; Meredith, 6th with 297.16
• A Grade: David, 1st with 297.17; Stephen, 2nd with 296.12; Evan, 3rd with 294.14
• B Grade: Mark B, 2nd with 293.12; Inge, 3rd with 292.11; Ross, 5th with 291.15; Mark R, 6th with 290.8
• C Grade: Jaz, 4th with 284.12 
• D Grade: Rob, 3rd with 287.13; Filly, 4th with 282.4; Alex, 5th with 279.7; Eli, 6th with 277.6

Bex, Stephen, Meredith, David and Evan all made the Final 10.  Huge congratulations to Bex for shooting 200.18 to win the Championship.

National Indoor Championships

On Sunday many were back to participate in this match, which was run in 13 venues across the country at the same time.  Congratulations to our members on the following placings of the 217 participants:

• Master Grade: Bex, 3rd with 399.30; Meredith, 18th with 395.22
• A Grade: Stephen, 8th with 393.22; David, 12th with 392.17
• B Grade: Mark B, 5th with 293.12390.18; Inge, 13th with 388.15
• C Grade: Finn, 3rd equal with 289.14
• D Grade: Gerry, 1st with 292.11; Rob, 9th with 285.7; Eli, 23rd with 275.6

Bonus Club Competition Cards
Are you aware that any competition card shot and marked on a Sunday counts for the club competition?
So if you are shooting in the Secondary Schools competitions on Sundays this month, or you shot in Sunday’s National Indoor Championships, do make sure those scores are recorded.  Inform Stephen of your scores, and check the marking clipboard in the marking room and the club scoreboard in the club room to confirm they were recorded.

Upcoming events

• Thursday 7 August
  • 7pm NDC semi-final: Bex, David, Evan, Inge, Mark B, Mark R, Meredith, Rob, Stephen, Finn, Gerry
• Sunday 10 August
  • 1:30pm for 2pm start, Wellington vs Hutt Valley Secondary Schools competition, Round 1, Keene Range, Halford Place, Petone: Eleanor, Filly, Sienna, Zahra, Eli, Leo, Mikey and Nakul (Craig and Inge will bring gear, support and coach)
  • 6pm club night, week 5 of series 3 of the club competition
• Tuesday 12 August: 
  • 7pm Interclub, teams to be selected 
• Sunday 24 August
  • 1:30pm for 2pm start, Wellington vs Hutt Valley Secondary Schools competition, Round 2, Royal Tiger Range, Newtown: Eleanor, Filly, Sienna, Zahra, Eli, Leo, Mikey and Nakul
  • 6pm club night AND visitor night

Great shooting outcomes in the last week.  Top shooting results last night were Alex with 97.7 and Rob with 99.6, both personal bests, and last Sunday Mikey shot 98.4, also a personal best. Congratulations to you all!  Meanwhile, Meredith top-scored in the 20-shot cards last night with an awesome 200.12.

Interclub success

On Tuesday Brooklyn convincingly won the interclub Open match against Wellington Central, with Meredith, Stephen and Bex all shooting 100s (199.15, 1999.11 and 197.13 respectively.  Brooklyn’s C Grade team lost by just 2 inners to  Wellington Central, despite Finn’s very impressive 99.4.

Brooklyn 110 Year Anniversary Open Championship Saturday 2 August

We’re all set for our Open Championship match on Saturday, to celebrate Brooklyn’s 110 year anniversary.  Looking forward to seeing you all there from 10am for members using club gear, and 9am for independent shooters.  Entry fee is $30.  Payment by internet banking to the Brooklyn Smallbore Rifle Club account, or cash on arrival.

Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to assist.  The roster is below.  We do have a couple of empty spots target changing and in the kitchen in the afternoon; if you are available, please do lend a hand there.  

We would also be grateful for some home baking to sell in the kitchen.

National Indoor Championships Sunday 3 August

Our Open Championship is good practice for the National Indoor Championships on Sunday, 1-4pm at the Royal Tiger Range.  Master, A and B Grades shoot 2x 20 shot cards, while C and D Grades shoot 1x 10 and 1x 20 shot cards.  

Entry fee is $30.  All cards shot at the National Indoor Championships can be nominated as club competition cards.

Upcoming events

• Sunday 3 August 
  • 1pm - 4pm, National Indoor Champs at the Royal Tiger
  • 6pm club night, week 4 of series 3 of the club competition

Corrections: Secondary Schools save the date:

So sorry, I got days and dates completely wrong in the last shooting update.  Please note:

• Sunday 10 August, 1pm, Wellington vs Hutt Valley Secondary Schools competition, Round 1, Keene Range Petone - Craig F and Inge will get your gear there and coach
• Sunday 24 August, 1pm, Wellington vs Hutt Valley Secondary Schools competition, Round 2, Royal Tiger Range Newtown - Craig F and Stephen will be there to help with gear and coach
• Friday evening 5 Sept  to Sunday  7 Sept midday: Target Shooting NZ national secondary schools match, Palmerston North, team of 3 per school.   Entry fee is $60 per team, plus team costs for transport and two nights accommodation. Craig F and Meredith will organise and coach
• We will reach out separately to our secondary school students members to coordinate.

Welcome to our newest members: Ross, re-joining on return from two years overseas, and Gerard (Gerry), a Wellington Central member who has also joined our club.

It was a busy weekend for many.  Thank you to everyone who helped at the Wellington Open Championship match, and well done to all those who participated.

Congratulations to:

• Filly who shot 285.12 with an awesome 98.7 on her third card!
• Mark B, second in A Grade with a score of 295.15
• Meredith, second in Master Grade with a score of 298.21

Target Marking course complete

It was great to see Brooklyn members and family members attending the target marking course on Tuesday.  Please join in the marking on Sunday evenings to reinforce the course and complete your qualification.  Many thanks to Stephen for running the course.

Reminder: Brooklyn's 110th anniversary

We’re hosting an Open Championship competition on Saturday 2 August to celebrate Brooklyn's 110 years of shooting.  Please do come along, participate in the competition, and lend a hand during the day.  We will need help with entries, scoreboard, Range Officer (must be TSNZ qualified), target changing, marking and in the kitchen (offering soup, toasted sandwiches, baking).

Upcoming events

• Thursday 17 July, 7:30pm National Districts Champs match: Bex, David, Evan, Mark B, Meredith, Inge and Stephen, with Filly, Marek and Gerry as emergencies (who do shoot)
• Sunday 20 July: Week 2 of Series 3 of the club competition
• Tuesday 22 July, 7pm: Interclub, teams to be selected.  Brooklyn is hosting.

Save the date:

• Saturday 2 August 10am, BSRC Open Championship at the Royal Tiger
• Sunday 3 August 1pm - 4pm, National Indoor Champs at the Royal Tiger
• Saturday 10 August, 1pm, Wellington vs Hutt Valley Secondary Schools competition, Round 1, Keene Range Petone
• Saturday 31 August, 1pm, Wellington vs Hutt Valley Secondary Schools competition, Round 2, Royal Tiger Range Newtown 
• (more details to follow on the secondary schools competition)