Shooting

Shooting began at Craighead in 2002 with a team of 3 girls.  At that time girls were in the minority at events throughout New Zealand.  As a result the team achieved well as there was little competition.  Natalie Rooney was in the team and has since gone on to represent New Zealand in the Commonwealth Games and World shooting events.  Over the years interest in the sport has increased to a stage where 10 girls entered in the National Event held in Hamilton in 2011.  Repeatedly, Craighead has achieved well at local, regional and National events.  This is all thanks to the coaching and strong leadership provided by the members of the Timaru Clay Target club who religiously turn up regardless of the weather conditions on a Tuesday afternoon.

In 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Craighead won the South Island Secondary Schools Trophy.  In 2005, 2009 and 2011 Craighead also brought home the North Island Secondary Schools Trophy.  In 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2011 the Points Score Team has brought home the National Trophy for Points Score. 

Shooting requires the girls to attend regular practices on a Tuesday after school regardless of the weather, as well as becoming a member of the Timaru Clay Target Club.  This club is situated at the Timaru Airport.  It is a very well run organisation with extremely supportive and helpful members.  They hold a shoot every month which girls are encouraged to attend.  This enables them to gain extra experience as they compete with highly skilled adults who have been shooting for many years.  Many of these shooters pass on valuable tips to the girls and assist by providing guns for the girls in the beginning.  Many girls shoot right through to Year 13 without owning their own gun thanks to the generosity of club members.

From April through to August there are many school shooting events, mainly South of Timaru.  This usually involves the girls travelling on Saturday and returning after the Sunday shoot.  Therefore, there is some expense involved in the sport with ammunition, entry fees and targets, plus accommodation for overnight events.  There is a very active group of parents who help by driving vans and supporting the girls throughout the season.

Every year Craighead enters in the Kilwell Postal Shoot.  This is usually shot in August and results are announced at the National event which is held on the first weekend of the September holidays in Hamilton or Christchurch. This year the event was held at Hamilton.

Jessica Sutherland and Brittany Pilcher have also been chosen along with Willy Rooney TBHS to represent the South Island against the North Island in the Open Nationals in Christchurch in March 2012.  Jessica is also aiming qualify for the World event to be held in Wales in 2012.

Jess Sutherland, winner of the National High Gun Shoot, 2011