News | Secondary Schools Shooting Returns to Wairarapa This Sunday
- Wairarapa Clay Target Club
- Jun 9
- 4 min read
Secondary Schools Shooting Returns to Wairarapa This Sunday
Wairarapa Clay Target Club is looking forward to hosting Round 3 of the Central & Lower North Island Secondary Schools Competition this Sunday, welcoming secondary school shooters, coaches and supporters from throughout the lower North Island for a full day of competition.
Shooting will begin at 10:00am sharp and follows the established Secondary Schools format contested throughout the year at clubs across the region.
Competitors will contest three 20-target DTL disciplines:
• Single Rise
• Point Score
• Single Barrel
The day begins with a single target eye-opener before competitors move into the single rise.
Prizes and Awards
A range of awards will be contested throughout the day, including:
• 1st Place Sashes in each event
• Girls High Gun
• Boys High Gun
• Teams Competition
• Junior High Gun (Year 9 & Year 10)
Certificates will also be awarded for 2nd and 3rd placings in each event.
The Teams Competition will be determined across all three DTL disciplines.
The highlight of the day remains the presentation of the Sam & Angus Donald Memorial Cup, awarded to the High Overall High Gun of the days DTL events. As one of the most prestigious trophies in the Secondary Schools programme, it will once again be the premier award presented at prizegiving.
Food, refreshments, ammunition sales and EFTPOS facilities will be available throughout the day.
New for 2026: Central & Lower North Island Secondary Schools Sporting Challenge
Alongside the traditional DTL programme, Wairarapa Clay Target Club is pleased to introduce the new Central & Lower North Island Secondary Schools Sporting Challenge.
This additional competition has been developed by Wairarapa to give secondary school shooters the opportunity to experience Sporting Clays and test their skills on a different style of target presentation.
Unlike DTL, where targets are presented in a consistent pattern and height, Sporting Clays presents shooters with a variety of target angles, speeds and trajectories, providing a different challenge and a taste of one of the fastest-growing disciplines in the world of clay target shooting.
Importantly, the Sporting Challenge does not form part of the official Secondary Schools DTL competition. It is an additional opportunity provided by Wairarapa Clay Target Club for competitors who would like to broaden their shooting experience throughout the day.
New to Sporting Clays? Give It a Go!
The Sporting Challenge has been designed specifically with Secondary Schools shooters in mind.
If you've never shot Sporting Clays before, don't worry. The shotgun and ammunition you already use for the day's DTL competition will be perfectly suitable for the Sporting Challenge.
Simply bring the same gun, the same cartridges and a willingness to have a go.
Experienced Wairarapa club members will be stationed on both Sporting stands throughout the day to operate targets, explain the format and help shooters get the most out of the experience.
While coaching is often restricted during formal clay target competitions, our goal with the Sporting Challenge is participation, encouragement and learning. If you'd like some pointers or advice, our Club helpers will be more than happy to offer tips and guidance along the way.
Whether you're an experienced clay target shooter or trying Sporting Clays for the very first time, we encourage everyone to come and have a go.
How the Sporting Challenge Works
The Sporting Challenge will operate throughout the day from the commencement of shooting at 10:00am.
Shooters in later DTL squads are welcome to warm up on the Sporting stands before their first DTL event, while those shooting earlier can participate between DTL rotations.
Two separate Sporting Clays stands will be operating, each consisting of 10 targets.
To enter:
Visit either Sporting stand and collect a Sporting Challenge scorecard.
Pay $5 and shoot your first 10-target stand.
Retain your scorecard and take it with you to the second Sporting stand.
Pay a further $5 and shoot the remaining 10 targets.
Once both stands are completed, place your completed scorecard in the Sporting Challenge dropbox located at the office counter.
The total cost is $10 per shooter ($5 per stand).
Club members will be stationed on each stand to operate targets, score rounds and assist competitors.
Only one official Sporting Challenge entry is permitted per shooter.
Sporting Challenge Prizes
Prizes will be awarded for:
Boys
• 1st Place
• 2nd Place
• 3rd Place
Girls
• 1st Place
• 2nd Place
• 3rd Place
Juniors
• 1st Place
• 2nd Place
• 3rd Place
In addition, all completed Sporting Challenge entries will go into the draw for three random spot prizes to be drawn at prizegiving.
Help Us Keep Things Flowing
We expect plenty of shooters will be keen to take part in the Sporting Challenge throughout the day.
To help keep things running smoothly, competitors are asked to:
• Keep an eye on DTL squad rotations at all times
• Ensure participation in the Sporting Challenge does not delay or hold up their DTL squad
• Retain their scorecard between Sporting stands
• Return completed scorecards to the office dropbox as soon as possible after finishing
The Sporting Challenge is designed to fit around the day's DTL programme, allowing shooters to enjoy both disciplines without interrupting the competition schedule.
The Sporting Challenge will close at the completion of the Single Barrel event, or when advised over the club PA system. All completed scorecards must be deposited in the Sporting Challenge dropbox within five minutes of the conclusion of the Single Barrel event to be eligible for prizes.
Wairarapa Clay Target Club looks forward to welcoming competitors, coaches, families and supporters for another outstanding day of secondary school shooting and is excited to offer young shooters the opportunity to experience Sporting Clays as part of their visit.
Good luck to all competitors.
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