In the holidays the clay target team travelled to Christchurch to take part in the two premier events for secondary school students: the South Island and New Zealand Secondary Schools clay target championships. Over the three day event there were 305 competitors from around New Zealand, supported by around 1200 supporters. Taupō-nui-a-Tia College was represented by two squads of ten students, accompanied by the team coaches and whānau.
Initial travel plans were disrupted, and Tongariro Transport & Rentals saved the day by putting on a coach at the very last minute to help get the team to Wellington. The team arrived in Christchurch late on Friday night, in time for Saturday’s competition but unfortunately too late for the Friday familiarisation practice shoot.
Students attending the competition were: Lana Breingan, George Canning, Luke Falconer, Nadine Gibbons, Harrison Knight, Fergus MacLachlan, Ben Partner, Jack Staples, Jaxon Terry, and Harlan Wildey.
Competition highlights include:
Nadine Gibbons being among the top scorers for overall girl at the Nationals, and just missing out on a placing.
George Canning’s score of 74/75 earned him a place in two shoot offs at the Nationals: and was two shots off selection for the North Island team, and just missing out on a placing for the point score competition.
Five students were selected to represent our regional team, which was the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne region: George Canning, Harrison Knight, Harlan Wildey, Nadine Gibbons, and Lana Breingan. The boys’ squad had 5 positions, and the girls’ squad 3 positions, so Taupō -nui – a Tia College was extremely well represented in the regional squad.
Harlan Wildey and Nadine Gibbons were both in shoot offs for the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne Region Team, and Nadine was just two points off getting a placing.
George Canning, Harrison Knight, and Jaxon Terry also competed in the skeet competition.
The group stayed at the Spencer Beach Holiday Park in Christchurch, and travelled each day to the Canterbury Clay Target Club to compete. The students and parents cooked together and enjoyed several team building activities including guess the baby photo, and climbing through a ropes course in Adrenaline Forest.
It was wonderful to be able to take two squads to Christchurch, with the juniors gaining valuable experience and hopefully able to return as seniors in 2026.
Well done to everyone for all the fundraising and sponsorships from local business’s. Namely Le Pine and Co, Placemakers, CWR, GHT, IEI, Bonshaw Storage, Metal Co Tokoroa, Mercury Community Fund and Taupo Half Marathon Fund.
Many thanks to the huge support from all the parents and coaches.
