Weatherby Vanguard Camilla review • Ocular cross-dominance in women • 3 great prizes to WIN AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER

SSAA’s Laetisha Scanlan at the top of her sport

Inaugural issue • Proudly printed in An official publication of the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia Contents Editorial 2 Editorial Gemma Dunn Hi, we’re excited to welcome 3 A place to call your own you to the inaugural edition of - letter Australian Women’s Shooter. The SSAA is proudly marching towards a membership of 200,000 and this quarterly publication is 3 Their numbers are up - for our female contingent of sports shooters and hunters. Rockhampton junior, lady Our premiere edition features gold membership on the rise medallist Laetisha Scanlan, whose regular column you can look forward to from the second edition of AWS. We review the Weatherby Vanguard Camilla rifle, which looks and 4 SSAA’s Laetisha Scanlan feels great for women shooters. In the first of my women’s at the top of her sport shooting practical pieces, I focus on ocular cross-dominance in women and take you through the steps to see if genetics plays its part for you too. Also, we have a story highlight- 8 Weatherby Vanguard ing lady (and junior) membership on the rise at our SSAA Camilla - a rifle royale Rockhampton branch. Oh, and there’s also three fantastic prizes to win. 12 Ocular cross-dominance We encourage those who aren’t members to join the SSAA in women shooters and we’d love to hear from all women regarding what content you would like to see in your Shooter magazine, along with any questions you may have for Laetisha and me. We can 14 Women’s-only be reached at [email protected] and details on membership competitions benefits can be viewed at ssaa.org.au And fellas, there’s strength in numbers so please pass the magazine on to your wife, girlfriend, mother, daughter, niece 15 SSAA membership form or whoever. If you have a read first, this magazine shows the different aspects of shooting for a woman and may help you to either introduce and/or assist them with their shooting.

AUSTRALIAN Mail: PO Box 2520, Unley, SA 5061 The Australian Women’s Shooter is printed by Genii, WOMEN’S SHOOTER Phone: 08 8272 7100 Fax: 08 8272 2945 Brookvale, NSW. Web: ssaa.org.au Email: [email protected] The Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia Editor Gemma Dunn The Australian Women’s Shooter is owned and Inc (SSAA Inc) is subject to the provisions of the Production Editor Thomas Cook published by the Sporting Shooters’ Association of National Privacy Act. We collect personal informa- Graphic Designer Natalie Kuhlmann Australia Inc. Opinions expressed herein are those tion from members of the Sporting Shooters’ of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association of Australia in the various states and Advertising Representative Karoline Minicozzi policy of this Association. territories. Should you want a copy of the SSAA Administration Debbie Wing No text or photographs within this publication may Inc Privacy Statement or seek further information be republished, either electronically or in print, please write to PO Box 2520, Unley, SA 5061. Contributors: Christie Pisani, Michelle Bryant, without the express written permission of the Studio Reflections Photography, Mark Fieldhouse SSAA. Copyright 2018.

2 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER A place to Their numbers are up call your own - Rockhampton junior, lady membership on the rise My husband and I are sporting shoot- The SSAA Rockhampton branch con- The Queensland State Air Rifle ers of many years and enjoy reading tinues to go from strength to strength, Championships were held in March Australian Shooter each month. Your running a host of events this year while with visitors travelling from Townsville, magazine always gives us plenty to think seeing an encouraging rise in the number Emerald, Tin Can Bay, Sunshine Coast about and talk about but, as is no doubt of women and junior shooters taking part. and Brisbane. Rockhampton member the case in most marriages, we don’t Stefan Viljoen is an experienced Field January saw lots of new faces at the always agree! Target competitor and placed first in Junior Open Pistol Day, another in a Master Grade, with her dad Cobus doing The problem is he can only see the series of events to encourage more young likewise in AAA Grade. from a male perspec- shooters into the club. Junior representa- tive Chloe Culliford with the support of Nicholas Bianchi finished runner-up in tive and has never been guilty of trying family and club members works tirelessly the Junior 15+ category using the air to look at it from a woman’s viewpoint. to make sure everyone enjoys their intro- rifle of Ryan Loveday from Brisbane, We had the privilege of watching duction to the shooting sports. Whether forced out with a hand injury but more Laetisha Scanlan shoot for gold at this aiming at paper targets, metallic silhou- than happy to lend Nicholas his rifle and year’s Commonwealth Games and I was ettes, clay targets or balloons, the branch plenty of coaching to go with it. delighted to see a young female shooter has many repeat customers which has led doing so well. to an upturn in numbers. Doing well in the Silhouette discipline was member Malcolm Bell who placed And that’s when it occurred to me that In February the women took charge with third in AA Grade, while Stefan Viljoen the women shooters of Australia deserve the second Ladies Day at the pistol range. finished second in A Grade and went one a bit more recognition - and maybe even This year saw the participation of several better with gold in the 10m Target. their own publication. Hopefully this female politicians who serve at local, state April saw the return of our local Girl is something the SSAA can give some and federal level. With club members keen to show what Rockhampton has to Guides who love to visit the range and thought to in future. Keep up the good offer, it was the perfect opportunity for due to the high interest have to book six work on a great magazine. the ladies to visit the range, have a shoot months in advance. Some of the girls Linda, Qld. (with great scores) and take the grand are now shooting scores close to our top tour with life member Tony Malinconico pistol shooters. You’re reading our minds, Linda! With who is passionate about his sport and the With the success of these social days range complex. the rising number of women in the to encourage more members into our SSAA’s ranks, we also reckoned it was The high scores shot by some of the sport, we’d like to thank sponsors Hall’s time to put female shooters in the spot- visitors were highly encouraging and by Firearms and The Outpost Arms & light - so welcome to Australian Women’s offering casual open days like this one, Munitions who continue to offer ammu- Shooter. This is your magazine and we without the pressure of competition, nition and great prizes without hesitation. Thanks also go to our Range Officers want to hear from the growing band the club has encouraged more ladies and for volunteering their time, firearms of Aussie women enjoying the shoot- their families to sign up. and coaching. ing sports. Tell us what you want to see included in these pages and we’ll do our Keen to learn: Competitors best to make it happen. at the Rockhampton Junior Pistol Day. Gemma Dunn, Editor. ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Do you have a women’s shooting day coming up? Let us know at [email protected] AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER 3 SSAA’s Laetisha Scanlan at the top of her sport

by Thomas Cook photos by Studio Reflections Photography

SSAA’s Laetisha Scanlan is an Australian fourth place in the 2018 World Champs The ongoing support provided by both her sports shooter who has won gold at the in Korea. Laetisha is a national champion parents is greatly appreciated by Laetisha. past three Commonwealth Games. and currently ranked No. 1 in Australia Her mum Pam has a lot of faith in her Laetisha’s successes came in the Trap and No. 6 in the world. daughter and says it was simply Laetisha’s Pairs with Stacy Roiall at Delhi 2010 curiosity and subsequent enjoyment of then in the women’s Trap at the Glasgow When I asked Laetisha what she enjoys shooting with her father that led to her 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 meetings. most about shooting she responded that 100 per cent commitment to the sport. Nicknamed ‘Taesh’, she was born on she loves all of the travelling and experi- Pam says Laetisha’s dedication to shoot- April, 13, 1990, grew up in Berwick, ences it brings, saying that “its introduced ing was tough to begin with, particularly Victoria and is involved with the Victorian me to such a diverse array of people that I concerning schooling. Laetisha went to Institute of Sport. Laetisha is a right- ordinarily would most definitely not have an all-girls school until her final year, handed/right-eye dominant shooter met but am glad I have.” when she transferred to Haileybury as who, along with her gold medals, has had Laetisha finds her resilience helps with part of the first intake of females. This continued landmarks since taking up the sports shooting and said that “losing has was a huge move for Laetisha and she is sport in 2005 and initially competing as a helped me grow as a person.” Admitting to grateful the school was supportive of her 17-year-old in 2007, when she made her being a little “naïve as a child, expecting to sports shooting. first Australian team. win,” she said that when she won her “first On top of her shooting Laetisha owns Laetisha was born on ‘Friday the 13th’ gold medal I was right in the moment but racing greyhounds with her dad Bernie, but this competitive yet humble cham- it was only upon reflection that I realised who is a clay target shooter and respon- pion is anything but unlucky. Her the magnitude of my achievement.” sible for getting her into sports shooting. other shooting achievements include a Laetisha stated that her greatest accom- Bernie primarily shot pests like foxes and fifth place in the and plishment as an athlete to date is “winning rabbits when Laetisha was growing up but International Grand Prix, Australian and my first World Cup [in 2014]” but went they found a bond competing against each Commonwealth Games records, first on to say that the recent “Gold Coast other in sports shooting. She also enjoys place in the Oceania Championships in [Commonwealth] Games were the most water sports and did karate for 10 years 2011, a World Cup win in 2013, gold in special as all of my family were there.” before stopping as a teenager, already a the World Cup in 2014 and most recently junior black belt instructor, to concentrate solely on shooting.

4 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER “Gold Coast Commonwealth Games were the most special as all of my family were there.”

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER 5 “I’ve always wanted to promote women in sport and the great thing with shooting is that men and women are equal.” - Laetisha, Gold Coast Commonwealth Games gold medal winner

6 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER Laetisha’s accomplishments at just 28 Her passion for the shooting sports is Laetisha and the SSAA are of course, years old are remarkable and right now evident and when I asked Laetisha about a very “disappointed” that shooting has she is heavily focused on her shooting but media role she responded that she is “keen been dropped from the Birmingham is looking for a transition into coaching and passionate to do media in the future… 2022 Commonwealth Games and she at some stage. She appears to be tak- after retirement” and went on to say that feels that perhaps it might be a bit of a ing all the right steps, having studied she would “love to be a sports journo or political stance. We didn’t go over politics Communications at Monash University reporter.” Interestingly Laetisha’s sport- a great deal but Laetisha did make a very and more recently Childcare. “I started ing idol comes from the world of athletics, poignant comment in relation to firearms Childcare study last year, as the year saying she’ll “never forget Cathy Freeman and shooting deaths, saying that “an F1 after an Olympic Games is gener- winning gold at the Sydney 2000 driver wouldn’t be asked about fatalities ally very quiet,” she said. She now has Olympics.” Something we both share! on the road.” her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Laetisha’s love for her When I asked Laetisha about her train- Laetisha would like to see the shoot- little cousins and enjoyment playing with ing, she said: “I train with more men than ing sports and recreations promoted in them helped steer her in this direction. women, which is purely circumstantial. the right way, ideally beginning with “a safety program within schools with the When I asked Laetisha if she had consid- “I’ve always wanted to promote women in right kind of education for young people.” ered coaching other females, males or sport and the great thing with shooting is She agrees that many observers unfor- juniors in the future, she responded that that men and women are equal. tunately hold misconceptions when it she is currently involved in a “business that “The sport is actively involving females comes to firearms and believes education caters for all types of people who haven’t and young people in a way I’ve never seen is the key. On that theme, she went on to shot before - through RedBalloon and before.” explain how during her time with Russell other organisations.” Laetisha wants to and Lauryn Mark, people are often “very “do early coaching to promote shooting” Laetisha trains for hours each day apprehensive” to begin with. However, she and has “been coaching with [Australian shooting and working out her core with happily explained that once the “miscon- shooting gold medallists] Russell and exercises like pilates and says shooting ception” is gone people really open up and Lauryn Mark for eight years.” She added is 20 per cent physical and 80 per cent walk away with a greater understanding of that “unfortunately shooting generally mental. She admits her biggest weakness the sport and firearms in general. gets a bad rap but it really is diverse.” is on the mental side, saying “I care too much about what other people think of SSAA member and Olympic great me.” Taking key elements from her time was one of Laetisha’s first with sports psychologists to stay at the Australian Women’s Shooter is professional coaches and he admires her elite level, Laetisha finds sticking to a excited to welcome Laetisha progression. He believes Laetisha is lucky routine important. She has found solace on board with a regular feature to have had Australian women exposing in adult colouring books for relaxation her to international scores and interna- between events, which sports psycholo- column in AWS starting next tional competition, making it difficult gist Mark Spargo, from the Victorian edition. You can ask Laetisha to crack the Australian ladies team. He Institute of Sport, says is almost like a or editor Gemma Dunn any says Laetisha’s mix of toughness and skill form of meditation. makes her a top competitor. questions via [email protected] Laetisha pointed out that each country Having seen Laetisha on stage at the must first qualify to actually compete in SSAA SHOT Expo in Sydney earlier any Games. There is an internal process this year and when speaking with her, it’s from there to select the athletes who apparent that a media job could be a real- represent their country. In Korea recently, istic calling. Laetisha’s Communications Laetisha actually won Australia’s second degree comes into play here and she’s a quota spot for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. real natural in front of the camera. There’s Well done! a hilarious YouTube video of Laetisha taking on comedians Hamish and Andy in clay shooting. Let’s just say, that despite a severe handicap, the competition wasn’t even close. AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER 7 Weatherby Vanguard - a rifle royale Camilla by Christie Pisani 8 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER I felt so comfortable carrying it through the bush, whether in the hand or slung over my shoulder.

I was initially apprehensive about my task Good looks ◊ I was immediately allowing it to nestle comfortably into the of field testing a rifle bearing the name of impressed by the Camilla’s elegant but not shoulder. Being fairly broad shouldered a princess. But on arriving at the gunshop dainty appearance. I understand the practi- myself this has never been an issue for and seeing ‘Camilla’, the new women’s calities of a synthetic stock but there’s just me, and personally I found it a little too rifle by Weatherby, I changed my mind. something sexy about wood. The Camilla narrow, possibly because it’s so different And my sigh of relief was accompanied boasts a satin-finish Turkish A-grade walnut to the fairly chunky rear end of the rifle I by a comment to the shop owner: “Thank stock with chequering at the fore-end and normally shoot. But I can see how it would goodness - I was worried it was going to grip. The barrel and action have a matte, appeal to the smaller-framed lady. be pink!” bead-blasted, blued finish. The Camilla weighs 2.83kg without a So what do women want? Well I’m not Lightweight and slim ◊ Let’s face scope and with its 20" barrel was easy to sure we even know, but after consulting it, a lot of women are happy to drop a kilo take through the bush - not cumbersome some gal pals on a wine and movies night or two and my impression on being handed and awkward - and less metal equals a we came up with some ideas... mostly the Camilla was a typical female response: small drop-off in the overall weight. I felt related to rifles. “She’s so skinny!” The buttstock was delib- so comfortable carrying it through the erately designed with a slim profile for the bush, whether in the hand or slung over fairer and not-so-broad shouldered sex, my shoulder.

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER 9 Left: The rifle is comfortable when slung over the shoulder with a weight of 2.83kg and a shorter barrel and stock.

Top right: The Camilla looks stylish with a satin finish Turkish walnut stock.

Middle: Jaqui Walker tests the rifle on the target range.

Bottom: The 6.5mm test rifle was complemented with a Trijicon 3-9x40 scope.

10 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER ...this is no ‘girlie’ gun. It’s perfect for a practical woman who wants to get on to the target range or go hunting in the field.

A good fit◊ The independent hunt- Shoots to kill ◊ Most new hunt- My options? Have a thicker pad fitted (I’ve ress is no longer satisfied with hubbie’s resses’ principal anxiety is wounding heard of ladies doing this to good effect), hand-me-downs. Most of us hunting gals an animal. We aim for the heart - just more time on shoulder weights at the gym did that enough as a kid walking through ask any man who has ever been in love! or eat more cheese sandwiches. Or just the bush wearing their older brother’s The ethical hunter wants to shoot with put up with it. Shooting in the field where oversized camo pants, rolled up at the deadly accuracy, thus we need a rifle it wasn’t just consecutive shots off a bench legs. This stock is made specifically to fit that brings out the best in our shooting gave no such problems. women. The slim pistol grip has a shorter ability. I fitted a Trijicon 3-9x40 scope to grip-to-trigger reach, ideal for slightly my 6.5mm calibre test model - available I don’t believe it’s the size of the recoil pad smaller hands. I did appreciate this feature calibres include .223 Remington, .243 that counts but how well it holds that butt although it did take some getting used to. Winchester, 6.5mm Creedmoor, 7mm- in the right place. It seemed to absorb the 08 Remington and .308 Winchester impact fairly well despite its size. The length of pull (distance from the - and using Federal 6.5mm Creedmoor middle of the trigger to the end of the I found the Camilla quite comfortable 140gr soft points was able to shoot con- once I got acquainted with its compact buttstock) has been shortened to 13". For sistent groups at 100 yards. the shorter shooter it increases comfort nature. While I personally would prefer and it’s useful for the new shooter to avoid Friendly ◊ We don’t want to be intimi- a rifle with a little more size and weight the temptation to overstretch, causing dated by our rifle. The user-friendly bolt about it, I feel it would be a perfect match poor posture and placing the face too close action with hinged floorplate was a treat to for a smaller-framed lady or new hunter to the scope. use as the bolt had an extremely smooth who hasn’t been conditioned to a lifetime draw and absolutely none of the stickiness of large rifles. And speaking of scopes, a feature of the that can come with a brand new rifle that The Camilla was named after company Camilla is a higher comb, which helps hasn’t been ‘worked’. line a lady’s eye with the optic (with our founder Roy Weatherby’s wife, not the tendency to have longer necks). This is a The recoil pad has been given a negative Duchess of Cornwall. Overall the Camilla feature I’d never thought of before and angle (the toe canted away from the body) is graceful, well designed, classy, tasteful was a pleasant surprise. It seemed my to sit into the lady’s shoulder groove and and refined, all the words that come under eye lined straight up with the scope with has been reduced in size. While sighting ‘elegant’ in the Macquarie Thesaurus. Just everything in its right place. I had another in at the target range I noticed quite a like a royal. lady shooter, Jaqui Walker, try it and she kick in the rifle, not surprising for its light However, despite the chic name and made the same observation, that her eyes weight. The recoil pad seemed to absorb appearance this is no ‘girlie’ gun. It’s were at the perfect level to look through the impact of the first few shots fairly perfect for a practical woman who wants the scope immediately on settling the well despite its size, but after a few more to get on to the target range or go hunting rifle to her shoulder. Knowing I could raise shots I found myself wishing for a bit more in the field. If this ‘Camilla’ were a human the rifle and find my target immediately padding, either on the rifle or my bony I would picture her as a sophisticated became a major selling point of this rifle. shoulders. grazier’s wife who isn’t afraid to get in the yard with the cattle!

The Camilla is available now from about $1500.

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER 11 Ocular cross-dominancein women shooters by Gemma Dunn Fieldhouse Mark by photo

As a child being raised by a family I speak about my baseball for a reason – with binocular vision – namely humans. of baseballers, it was inevitable that it directly relates to both my strengths Binocular vision is what allows us to form I followed suit. But as I grew older I and weaknesses as a shooter. It allowed a single three-dimensional image using discovered shooting and that was the start me to be dynamic and strong enough both eyes. The main advantage of this, and of my love affair with our sport. I have to be a competitive shooter but it also one that is most relevant to shooters, is always had great hand-eye coordination brought something of an ‘issue’ for my that binocular vision helps us to gain depth thanks to baseball and I never had any shooting to the forefront. perception from what we are viewing. trouble with my vision, which made me easily pick up the basic skills of shooting. Two years into my shooting career my Depth perception is crucial to those I chose to become a clay target shooter coach discovered that I was cross-domi- shooters who are trying to obtain a clear because I loved the fact that the targets nant. This means that I shoot right-handed view of a target rapidly and accurately. moved, something I think stemmed from but am actually left-eye dominant. Eye In someone with normal binocular vision my baseball days. dominance happens to those animals there is an effect of parallax, and therefore

12 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER the dominant eye is the eye that is primar- Un-crossed eye Crossed eye ily relied on for precise positional informa- dominance dominance tion. The dominant eye isn’t ‘stronger’ but it feeds the visual information to the brain the fastest. So this is extremely important for sports that require aim such as archery, darts and of course, shooting.

As a shooter trying to aim with some- thing that is essentially an extension of my eye, being right-handed but left-eye dominant poses a few challenges. This is because I am basically relying on my ‘slower’ eye to pick up the target, which can lead to tardy/inconsistent reaction men. After just two or three shots I could If you’re lucky enough to have your domi- times and quicker fatigue. clearly see whether my attendee was nant hand and eye match, you have no cross-dominant or not. This was due to worries when it comes to shooting. But if Studies found in optometric journals them either trying to tilt their head over you want to rectify this or still can’t quite online show that cross-dominance had the stock to use their left eye, seeing two work it out there are going to be some a big effect on scores in shooting. Those sets of barrels or just completely missing things to consider and important steps with uncrossed dominance had substan- consistently to the left of the target by you will have to take. tially shot better than those who had not. about a foot and having no clue why. Step 1 As stated previously, your first port of call should be seeking professional help. Sports optometrists have played a ...it’s more common for women vital role in the success of shooters all over than men to be cross-dominant. the world and it is well worth the small price you pay. After all, having 20/20 It’s purely genetic. vision does not always mean you have good visual acuity. Doctors of optometry can help shooters by: Of course, this was an advantage when I Many people don’t know about ocular- was playing baseball because as a right- dominance, but why is it more of an issue • Maximising the athlete’s clarity and con- handed batter, my dominant eye was the for us girls? I believe a lot of females trast through the correct prescription. one watching the pitches coming. Many don’t realise they may be cross-dominant • Adjusting focus for the sighting distance studies show that baseballers, cricketers because of two things. Firstly, most and movement of targets. and golfers with cross-dominance had women are introduced to shooting by • Utilising tints on lenses to maximise a slight advantage over their counter- a male relative or friend, meaning that contrast. parts. Therefore, this has the reverse secondly all the early learning is done • Eye training exercises that can enhance/ effect for shooting. To make things even from those that do not commonly have aid with hand-eye reaction time. more interesting, it’s more common for cross-dominance. This often results in women than men to be cross-dominant. the issue not being noticed early on and It is really important to note that trying to It’s purely genetic. Scientists are yet to the female shooter learns to shoot with change your eye dominance is something ascertain why exactly this is more preva- essentially the wrong handedness for I would not recommend. I spoke to my lent in women apart from genes. their dominant eye. sports optometrist about this as an option and he advised me that you can never After instructing try shooting and cor- So, how do we work out our eye domi- fully re-train your eye dominance. You porate team building days full-time for nance? There are many simple ways out- will only lessen the absoluteness of it and nearly seven years I began to notice just lined on the website: allaboutvision.com/ this can cause you more confusion down how much more it impacted the female resources/dominant-eye-test.htm the track. Some people do opt for this, participants than males. The numbers but you should always seek the advice of a affected were roughly 70 per cent of professional before trying this as every- women and only about 20 per cent of body is different.

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER 13 a left-handed shooter if you are left-eye Step 2 Consider trying to shoot with Women’s-only dominant. It can sound daunting but a ‘patch’. This is something I commonly really it makes the most sense if you are did with my beginner shooters that was a competitions still a beginner. I have considered doing quick and non-drastic fix, just for the day Only female SSAA members are eligible this but remained undecided as I have so they could simply enjoy their session. to enter. One entry per member. To been shooting right-handed with a patch enter, simply write your name, address I mentioned earlier that dominance is for more than 10 years. I just wish I had and membership number on the back not always absolute. For some, their known about it earlier and saved all the of an envelope and send it to: dominance can transfer from one eye to hassle of patches and eye-dominance. (Name of competition), the other depending on the conditions If you are a beginner or know someone Australian Women’s Shooter, that the eyes are under. If you are not with this issue who is a beginner, I would PO Box 2520, strongly cross-dominant, this approach strongly recommend them to start shoot- Unley, SA 5061 might work to gain some consistency. ing with uncrossed dominance. or online at ssaa.org.au/win This involves putting a small This is because it is still Competitions close January 31, 2019 patch over the focal point early enough for them to of your dominant eye, develop their skills on as shown. The patch the other side before needs to be small they have learnt enough to still let to shoot cross- the peripherals (for dominantly. Or for depth perception WIN 1 of 2 the pistol shooters to remain effective) UpLULA pink you can try using of your dominant your right hand but magazine loaders eye work as well as moving the pistol over Valued at $69.95 each let enough light in but Kindly donated by Winchester Australia to sight the target using be big enough so that winchesteraustralia.com.au your left eye. the focal point of your eye is covered – therefore making it the The final move is acquiring less dominant eye while shooting. Step 4 an accredited coach, attend a coach- Of course, this isn’t perfect because ing clinic or at least speak to a friend/ shooting is best done with both eyes someone at the club that has coaching open but it is better to use a patch rather experience who can properly guide you in than closing one eye entirely for events the direction of reaching your goals. It is requiring the quick acquisition of a target imperative that you always seek guidance (either moving or stationary). Also, it can from those with experience. Alongside WIN a Lithgow t-shirt, be hard to learn to shoot with a patch this, you need to ensure that you have bar mat & calendar pack because you’re really only taking in half of the correct gun fit, optics and equipment Valued at $126.95 the visual information to your brain when before you go drastically changing things Kindly donated by Lithgow Arms you’re shooting. about your shooting. shop.lithgowarms.com Overall it is safe to conclude that begin- Lastly, note that the information on this ners who use a patch or completely cover topic is only beginning to scratch the their dominant eye will find that it takes surface and we certainly could benefit a little longer to master the art of target from more studies by scientists and doc- shooting. This is said not to deter, but tors. There are many resources out there merely provide you with the truths of in regards to this topic but not all of it is dealing with being wired this way. supported by scientific evidence, which is WIN a $100 SSAA why my major suggestions are to go and online shop voucher Step 3 An alternative and quite speak to a professional sports optometrist Kindly donated by SSAA drastic approach is to merely change the and find a coach to help work out what’s onlineshop.ssaa.org.au side in which you use to shoot – becoming best for you.

14 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER SSAA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION SSAA Membership Office, PO Box 282, Plumpton, NSW 2761 ABN 95 050 209 688

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Title (PLEASE CIRCLE) Mr Miss Ms Mrs or ...... Preferred SSAA Branch I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ALL APPLICANTS First name I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I PLEASE READ AND SIGN Middle name I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I This application is made in full Last name I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I recognition of the Association’s requirement for responsible and ethical behaviour. I undertake to Residential address do all in my power to preserve I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I the good image of the sport and the Association. I understand Town/suburb I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I that members breaking the Code of Conduct may be sub- State I I I I Postcode I I I I I ject to suspension or expulsion. The Code can be found at ssaa.org.au/code Postal address (IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE) I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I SIGNATURE:...... Town/suburb I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I DATE:...... State Postcode Refund Policy: Subject to Australian I I I I I I I I I law, membership fees are not refundable, nor can they be transferred. Phone (Home) (Work) I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I SSAA Inc collects personal information of members. The information you provide on this (Mobile) I I I I I I I I I I I I I (Fax) I I I I I I I I I I I I I form will be disclosed to the state or territory branch of the SSAA to which your membership application relates. A copy of SSAA Inc’s privacy Email policy can be found at ssaa.org.au/ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I privacy. You can obtain access to your personal information by writing to: SSAA, PO Box 2520, Unley SA Date of birth I I I I I I I I I Male Female OFFICE USE ONLY 5061.

Tick to subscribe to the FREE SSAA National E-newsletter via email ATTENTION NSW & ACT MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES AND SPECIAL OFFERS MEMBERS Each membership category (apart from Family Member) includes 11 issues of the Australian Shooter magazine per year.

Complete this section ONLY Add four issues of the Hunter magazine per year if you wish to use your membership of the SSAA to support your Genuine Reason $90 $119 Adult (over 18 years) for having a firearms licence. Register your SSAA activities by $120 $149 Includes $30 insurance premium for SSAA Member Firearms marking one or more of the Insurance for 12 months, valid until next membership renewal. following boxes: TARGET SHOOTING $68 $97 Family Member (No magazine) Applies to each additional person HUNTING over 18 residing at the same address as a full-subscription Adult member ...... (club membership) Supporting COLLECTING Includes $30 insurance premium for SSAA Member Firearms Adult member No. $98 $127 Insurance for 12 months, valid until next membership renewal. HUNTING OTHER (R licence, property owner/permission) $68 $97 Pensioner Available on production or photocopy of both sides of your Australian Concession Card. ADD the $98 $127 Includes $30 insurance premium for SSAA Member Firearms Choose the Insurance for 12 months, valid until next membership renewal. insurance offer HUNTER for only $450 5-year Adult Contact SSAA for insurance offer. and for just $30 you get $25,000 worth $1800 Member for Life Contact SSAA for insurance offer. $29 per year of firearms and fixed $173 $233 Overseas Available to members living overseas. accessories cover. Want to know more? $25 $54 Junior (under 18 years) Parent’s or guardian’s signature ...... Call us at SSAA PAYMENT OPTIONS

Enclosed is payment for the amount of $...... I also wish to donate Cheque Money order MasterCard Visa $...... to the SSAA 02 8805 3900

Card number Sign up online - it’s quick and easy! Expiry date Signature...... ssaa.org.au Cheques payable to the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia Inc.

May 2018 It is both heartening and It’s all about encouraging that the number of women in the Sporting Shooters’ the role women Association of Australia’s ranks is on the rise. We recognise women play in our are important among the shooting fraternity community and encourage further growth and influence. The SSAA is Australia’s largest and leading sports shooting body – join us today!

Sports shooting is equal between men and women. Drive your competitive spirit with shooting To become a member activities as you increase stamina, visit ssaa.org.au/join-us mental focus, eyesight and physical or call 02 8805 3900 strength in your core and arms.