Laang SSAA secretary Wayne Moore says hosting the Victorian Sporting Clay Championships presents his members with a valuable opportunity to see the state's best shooters in action.
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Warrnambool SSAA-Laang Sporting Clays Range will host the 23nd Victorian Sporting Clays Association state event this weekend.
There will be four open division categories - AA through to C grade - plus juniors, sub juniors, masters, veterans and ladies competitions.
But Moore said the squads were mixed and a C grader could be in the same shooting squad as an AA shooter.
"The squads are all drawn at random," he said of the 158-strong field.
He said that meant inexperienced shooters could have the chance to be up-close with some of the best in the country.
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A squad includes about six people.
Moore, who will compete in B grade, added his club members were excited by that prospect.
"Everyone is pretty keen to shoot with new shooters," he said.
There will be plenty of fresh faces as club members typically shoot among 60 others at monthly events.
The club secretary added it was an opportunity for his members to sharpen up before the national titles in Cooma, NSW, in a fortnight.
"It's a significant event of a high standard leading up to the Australian titles," he said.
"It's a good chance for all our shooters to hone their skills in preparation."
It's been 21 years since Cooma held the national target shooting event.
Laang SSAA will have 20 members, from across all age groups, compete in the state event.
Moore said club shooter John Maher was a chance to take out A grade.
Each competitor will shoot 50 targets spread over eight shooting stands on Saturday morning.
After a break, they will shoot at another 50 targets.
They repeat the process on Sunday for a total of 200 targets.
Laang has again gained the privilege to host the state championships which Moore said it last had in 2016.
The club secretary said the range was considered one of the best in the country by shooters.
Competition begins at 9am on Saturday and Sunday and wraps up about 3.30pm.
Laang SSAA, which has been busily preparing for the state titles, holds its monthly meets on the first Sunday of each month.
Moore said competitors must be 12 or older to compete in the state event.
He said spectators are welcome to watch the high-quality competition.
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