International titles success continues for Narrabri pistol shooter

Narrabri pistol shooter Jason Anderson has added to his tally of championship titles with success at the recent International Metallic Silhouette Shooting Union World Championships in South Africa.

Mr Anderson was a member of the four man Australian team which has brought home three silver medals from the June championships in Bloemfontein.

It was another successful competition for the ‘North West country’ team.

Team mates Glen Anderson, Inverell, Tim Davey, Manilla, and Jason Anderson are the successful trio which cleaned up an impressive medal tally, including gold, for Australia at last year’s World Pistol Championships in Hungary.

They were accompanied to Bloemfontein by Narrabri’s Robert Boucher, president of the IMSSU.

The three are accomplished marksmen and they returned to Australia with silver medals in three categories – big bore hand gun, the standing team event and the field pistol team event.

Glen Anderson was an outright winner, the third time in a row he has achieved world champion status in a particular event.

The Australian team travelled to South Africa with team manager Judy Harding.

Australian pistol team members in Bloemfontein, Aidan Vanee, Brisbane, Tim Davey, Manilla, Jason Anderson, Narrabri, and Glen Anderson, Inverell.

Mr Anderson and his team mates are familiar with national and international travel, but the flight to Johannesburg followed by a five hour drive to Bloemfontein was a long journey.

“But we had a few days to get over the jetlag and visited a game park and the Anglo-Boer War museum at Bloemfontein,” said Mr Anderson.

The competition, contested by nine countries, was held over 10 days, June 3 to 13. France emerged as the overall winner.

Jason Anderson is a ‘veteran’ of 35 years in pistol shooting but acknowledged the conditions at the Bloemfontein competition were very challenging for competitors.

“Without a doubt they were the toughest conditions I have ever shot in,” he said.

“Considering the conditions we were very pleased with our results.

“This was the first time we had shot at white silhouette targets. This brought its challenges – the white reflects the light at certain times of the day, it affects things like sights’ settings and aiming points.

“And we had a day of fog, and a day of rain and a day of snow during the competition.

“I shot in the morning one day when it was one degree and snowy. There was a horrendous wind chill factor. My knees were shaking in the cold. We had to use hot water bottles under our arms, and five layers of clothes to keep warm. Those conditions were really tough, but we had beautiful days towards the end of the competition.

“These were definitely the most difficult conditions I have ever shot in. I would probably have gone home if it wasn’t a competition,” Jason laughed.

“You would think it would be hot in South Africa.”

Now Jason Anderson is contesting a series of events with the aim of securing a points aggregate which will gain his selection for the next World Cup to be held in Finland in 2025.

He will have to score well at several shoots to achieve the aggregate, including competition in the ACT in a few weeks, Mt Lindesay, NSW, and the national titles which will be held at Narrabri Pistol Club in September.

The Narrabri national titles will be a first – with combined big bore and small bore events,” Jason said.

“Hopefully, the Narrabri weather in September will be good.”

Jason said the fraternity of pistol shooters was a great one.

“At Bloemfontein there were juniors, men and women competing.

“And they all want to come to compete in Australia.”

At Bloemfontein there was concurrent rifle shooting competition, up to 500 metres.

“We could have that level of combined international competition in Australia if some administration issues could be sorted out,” Jason said.

“We have excellent facilities and ranges ready to go now, in the ACT and Brisbane, to host a combined pistol and rifle competition.”

Jason said he always used his presence at competition shoots to promote Narrabri Pistol Club.

The club has long provided the support, mentorship and range facilities to take members to major competition successes nationally and internationally.

“And the club is very keen to encourage people to be interested in the sport, particularly young people,” Jason said.

“Narrabri Pistol Club has the great facilities and the support from members right here in Narrabri.”