Shotists target KZN champs

Poinsettia Pistol Club members have their eye on the bull for when the club hosts the KZN champs from 17 to 19 November.

“This is the first time the club will host the champs,” said the club’s acting secretary and treasurer, Danie Reyneke, who is also chairman of the Natal Pistol Association.

“We hope to draw about 50 entries from all over the country.

We are ready to host the competition and we have already received entries. The organisation is underway and we just have to finalise a few items.

We get to host the competition, as we are the only club in KZN with sufficient turning targets, which is essential for certain categories.”

These categories include the 3-7-3 exercise, where targets are visible for only three seconds and are turned away for seven, and entrants have to fire one shot in three seconds at 25 metres.

In the service pistol 15-seconds category, entrants have to fire six shots at a 25m target with their service pistol; six shots at a 20m target in 10 seconds; and six shots at a 7m target in six seconds.

The club was started on 28 September 1961 by a group of local women. One of the founding members was Hetty Castle, whose son is well-known Toti resident Don Castle.

The club boasted many women shotists in those early days, a trend that continues today.

Don Castle will do the official opening of the KZN champs on 17 November at 7am.

Currently the club boasts 75 members and the affiliate fee today of R300 per year is a far cry from the R2 members were charged to join in 1961.

“Our members should do well in the competition,” said Danie, who boasts provincial and national colours, along with his son Neil and Dave Campbell.

Earlier in the year the KZN team, strengthened by six local shotists, returned with a total of 57 medals from the national champs which took place in Pretoria.

Local shotists claimed 33 medals, including nine gold, 21 silver and three bronze, and 24 individual medals, of which 12 were gold, four silver and eight bronze.

Danie’s massive haul of medals saw him awarded the General De Wet trophy for third place overall out of 149 entrants at the nationals, a fantastic achievement after he claimed last year’s runner-up spot.

He was also elected vice-president of the SA Pistol Federation and is to assist the International Sport Shooting Federation’s planning going into the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“Our biggest obstacle to overcome ahead of hosting the KZN champs is sourcing sponsorships for trophies,” said Danie.

If you can assist with a sponsor or a trophy, call him on 060-891-9229 or email reynekedc.dr@gmail.com.

“Every little bit will help and will be greatly appreciated. Companies will also be allowed some advertising space at the range during the championships. Negotiations to have TV coverage is also ongoing.

The Toti public is welcome to come support the local competitors during the champs. We will have seating provided to watch the action and ear muffs will be supplied.”

 
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