Although 2021 was a less than ideal year, we were still able to get the Nationals and other lead-up events. With the A and B squads being named, the teams were looking forward to a good year of shooting. The team had the opportunity to compete in Palmerston North, Putaruru, Taupo, and Hamilton twice this year. The competition to represent the school in the A squad of five shooters continues. All boys try their best during competitions and training to shoot a ‘possible’ (the term ‘possible’ occurs when someone shoots 100% in an event). After gaining a possible, the shooter will then go into a shoot-off where the last shooter to miss a target is deemed the overall winner.
The major competitions in which the boys competed were the North Islands championship and the National championship at the end of Term 3 in Hamilton. Highlights at the Nationals included Korbyn Donald shooting 92%, Alex Honeyfield shooting 89%, and William Darke shooting 84%. Korbyn Donald shot a possible in the North Island Single Barrel event. Korbyn would go on to shoot in a shoot-off and do extremely well. Korbyn ended up fifth overall in the North Island Champs for Single Barrel (this was run virtually for the whole country). An outstanding result.
Our overall top shooter for 2021 and the winner of the John Axbey Trophy was Korbyn Donald who shot an amazing average of 89.2% for the season. Congratulations Korbyn. Second on 85.7% was Toby Tate and third was Alex Honeyfield on 85.1%. Our top Junior and winner of the Mike Holmes Trophy was William Darke who averaged 78.8% for the year. William won the Junior Single Rise competition at the Hamilton Boys’ shoot and he also gained his Long-Run badge of 25. Superb William.
We are continuing to look for local opportunities and hope to build on our connection to the Inglewood Rod, Gun and Recreational Club for the boys to continue shooting while at NPBHS and when they leave. Many thanks to Skippy Donald for his continued support for the boys’ development. Thanks to Brett Honeyfield for coming on board to offer expertise and more help with transport to competitions. Thank you to Jo Ander for her ongoing encouragement of the boys. Thank you to Joanne Donald for helping with admin and sorting out the new shooting clothing. Thank you, Rebekah Smith, Phoebe Ansell and Yvonne Shanahan for your support from an accounts/trip organisation role within the school.
Many thanks to Hunting and Fishing, for supplying some of our equipment. We’d also like to acknowledge the New Plymouth Clay Target Club for allowing the boys to shoot at their club on an ongoing basis. Thank you to Honda Hub for your generous financial support. Many thanks to Hynds for their generous support of the boys with providing the uniforms, it has really brought the team forward in terms of professionalism and the support is much appreciated. We look forward to clay target shooting continuing to develop as a sport at NPBHS.
2021 Sponsors
A Squad 2021: Toby Tate, Korbyn Donald, Alex Honeyfield, William Darke, Sam Dickson