JUST four years into the sport, 19-year-old Matt Schiller has already scored himself a spot on the Australian team to compete at the World DTL Championships (Clay Target Shooting) in Wales this July.
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At the Australian Clay Target Association 2012 Trap Nationals, Matt had set himself a goal to make it into the junior team to represent Australia at the World DTL Championships.
He was successful in achieving this with a preliminary qualifying score of 250/250 - a score that had only been achieved seven times in the previous 74 years of competition.
With a final score of 549/550, Matt had also qualified for the opens, however Matt’s goal was always to try for the junior team in an effort to help make this team as strong as possible.
Matt equalled his score with another member on the junior team - John Duryea of Hay.
In third position was Geoff Aston of Melbourne who qualified with 546/550.
“These scores are fantastic by anyone’s standard,” mum Janene Schiller said.
“Matt is extremely proud to have earned his place in this team and looks forward to representing Australia and his fellow shooters,” she said.
Adding to his achievements, Matt was also fourth qualifier into the All Australian Trap Team at the 2012 National Trap National Championships.
This team is comprised of the top 10 from across all the individual events held at the championships out of about 500 shooters.
Matt regularly travels and competes in competitions with his grandfather Ray Schiller, father Steve Schiller and 17-year-old sister Kate Schiller – who also happens to be a NSW state representative shooter.
“They all enjoy the friendships and camaraderie of the many shooters of all ages they have met from across Australia and they appreciate the support they have received from the many local shooters with whom they have formed true friendships,” Janene said.
Matt started clay target shooting since he was 15-years-old, competing in the ‘Trap’ or ‘Down the Line’ discipline.
He progressed quickly through the grades and by early 2010, he was in AA grade - the highest level.
Shortly after his 18th birthday in April last year, he achieved a handicap of the furthest distance possible, 25 metres, making him among one of the youngest competi-
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tors to achieve this.
Matt achieved a double barrel break of 483 consecutive targets and has two 25 pair double rise (score 50/50) breaks, making them a grand slam.
“He now needs to shoot 50 consecutive targets in a handicap competition from 25 metres,” Janene said.
Matt has represented NSW as a junior (U18) in 2010 and again in the opens this year.
He has also been a member of the Australian Clay Target Association Junior Development Squad in both 2009 and 2010 where 20 juniors were selected from across Australia.
In 2011 was a member of the Associations’ Elite Youth Squad (consisting of 5 shooters 18-21yrs).
Matt was a member of the 2011 Junior MacKintosh Team who was successful in winning the International Postal Competition against England, Wales, Ireland, Canada, South Africa & New Zealand. Matt’s personal score in this event was 300/300 – the only ‘possible’ scored by any of the Australian Teams in that year.
Matt will be conducting a number of fundraisers over the coming months & would be very appreciative of the communities support.
tors to achieve this.
Matt achieved a double barrel break of 483 consecutive targets and has two 25 pair double rise (score 50/50) breaks, making them a grand slam.
“He now needs to shoot 50 consecutive targets in a handicap competition from 25 metres,” Janene said.
Matt has represented NSW as a junior (U18) in 2010 and again in the opens this year.
He has also been a member of the Australian Clay Target Association Junior Development Squad in both 2009 and 2010 where 20 juniors were selected from across Australia.
In 2011 was a member of the Associations’ Elite Youth Squad (consisting of 5 shooters 18-21yrs).
Matt was a member of the 2011 Junior MacKintosh Team who was successful in winning the International Postal Competition against England, Wales, Ireland, Canada, South Africa & New Zealand. Matt’s personal score in this event was 300/300 – the only ‘possible’ scored by any of the Australian Teams in that year.
Matt will be conducting a number of fundraisers over the coming months & would be very appreciative of the communities support.