#Glasgow2014 Preview: Shooting
Australia has sent a record-breaking largest ever shooting squad for competition at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, with WA’s Laura Coles the local hope.
Coles is set to compete in the women’s shotgun skeet, which is a non-Olympic event that gets its prime exposure at Commonwealth level.
The shooting program is being hosted on Scotland’s east-coast at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre, which sits within the Ministry of Defence’s Training Centre.
The venue provides a wonderful link back through Scotland’s heritage and history, with the grounds surrounded by the world famous Carnoustie golf course, and on the coastal site where in the 15thcentury, Scottish ships warded off King Henry VI’s fleet, who were aiming to capture the King of Scotland.
The Barry Buddon site also – in somewhat of an ironic twist – hosts a wildlife sanctuary, which houses the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and EU Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Local shore nesting birds include terns and shell ducks while summer visitors include skylarks, meadow pipits, linnets and stonechats. All of which, are safely and happily protected from gunfire.
Whilst the venue has history more in keeping with plot lines from Games of Thrones, there will be just one precious conquest on Coles’ agenda, when she competes in the women’s skeet on Friday July 25. Coles will aim to qualify from 4.00pm Perth time, and if successful, will back up in the evening’s final from 11.00pm.