Cam Colson: Selected for the South Island Under 21 Smallbore Team 2021

In my first year at King's, I took up Smallbore Target Shooting on a Tuesday night as part of the King's Team. 

I found this was a great way to improve my hunting, which I have done since I was five. At the time I was lucky enough to be one of the only Juniors to shoot as part of the Senior Team.  Achieving this at such a young age made me even more competitive to ensure I improved but also stayed part of the team, in order to allow me to shoot nationally for King's which I have done since 2018. 

Further, it has been a real honour to be made Captain of that team from 2019 to present. I am really proud to say I have been enabled to do this through the coaching and support of both the King’s and Arthur Barnett’s Coaches. 

I am very proud to have recently been selected for the South Island Under 21 Smallbore Team, even more so since I am the only school student south of Timaru to achieve this, and one of only two selected from this area overall. 

I hope this selection, in some ways, repays all the effort, encouragement and expertise that has been shown to me over these years, because for me this is a pinnacle that has made it all totally worthwhile. 

Smallbore is a skill and interest that requires discipline, self-management under stress and focus. All skills translate well into future opportunities and prospects.

With all I have learnt over the past few years, I am now in a position to give back to the sport and coach new shooters which not only helps them but also cements my own knowledge. Now as a Year 13, I look back on my time with King’s Smallbore with pride and carry the interest with me beyond school onto a club level; hopefully, I may see some of you around.