TWO Wingham shooters will spearhead an Australian campaign for world rifle shooting supremacy beginning in New Zealand this week.
Wingham Rifle Club shooters Wendy Moon and Steve Southwell will carry the hopes of not only the Manning Valley but also their nation at the championships beginning Friday.
Top shooters from all over the country will compete in international teams matches and the New Zealand championships at Trentham in the North Island until January 17.
It starts the countdown to the World Long Range Rifle Shooting Championships being hosted by Australia for the first time Brisbane in October 2011.
The open team is captained by Rick Scoones from Perth and includes Moon and Southwell, both top New South Wales shooters, along with Neil Drain of Port Macquarie.
“We have picked a very strong team for New Zealand. It is a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent,” said Mr Scoones.
With three teams of shooters, coaches and support staff, there will be almost 50 Australians in the National Rifle Association of Australia contingent.
“While we are confident Australian shooters will be extremely competitive on home soil, we have to prepare well in the lead-up to 2011,” Mr Scoones said.
This will include a major trip to the home of competitive rifle shooting, Bisley in England, in 2010.
“There will be regular training for the Australian squad in Brisbane and a number of overseas teams intend to visit prior to the world championships,” he said.