World Champion shooters James Willett and Cameron Ford show off their recent gold medals at James’ custom built shooting range near Mulwala.
Two names from the Yarrawonga–Mulwala region are now making waves in the world of clay shooting; James Willett and Cameron Ford.
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What started as backyard practice and school club outings has grown into international competition, Olympic appearances, and world championship medals.
James has represented Australia at three Olympic Games, in Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024, competing in trap and double trap events.
At Rio, he set a new Olympic qualifying record of 140 out of 150 targets before finishing fifth in the final.
James Willett competing in 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Photo AAP.
Over his career, James has collected 16 World Cup medals, including seven golds, and won the mixed trap team world championship with Laetisha Scanlan.
He has consistently reached world number one in trap rankings and competed at multiple World Championships.
James recently returned home with a another win this time at the FITASC World Championships for Universal Trench held at the Melbourne Gun Club.
His next big competition will be the ACTA DTL National Championships in Wagga Wagga during the middle of April. And his next international competition will be the ISSF World Cup in Kazakstan at the beginning of May.
Cameron, a Tungamah local, is a rising star who has received some important coaching from James over the years.
Cameron also returned home from the Melbourne Gun Club after an impressive victory in the Junior World Title for Universal Trench.
The Australian Junior Team also won the overall title, and Cameron went on to finish seventh in the Open division against some of the best shooters in the world.
In 2025 he won silver with the Australian Junior team at the World Universal Trench (UT) Championships, narrowly missing gold by just one target.
“My mum and dad have been shooting since they were young,” Cameron said.
“They just showed me how to do it and put a gun in my hand, without any gunshots, and we just started from there.”
Cameron Ford after his maiden World Cup win this year.
James grew up on the family farm near Mulwala and discovered the sport through school.
“We used to shoot every Wednesday at the gun club through school,” he said.
“I started when I was about 14 and just progressed from there.”
Cameron has travelled extensively for competitions; to South Africa, France and Italy, and says except for the long flights, he likes going around the cities and seeing the world.
He’s made the junior team for the UT for the past three years and says balancing work and sport was a constant challenge.
“It’s hard,” Cameron said.
“You’ve got to manage work, training, and still find time to compete.”
James works part time with a local builder while competing internationally and says the discipline is 99 per cent mental.
“You have to treat every shot equally, focus fully, and not let a miss derail the rest of your round,” he said.
But for both men, the rewards go far beyond medals.
“It’s a good sport for the whole family,” Cameron said.
“Mum, dad, kids, grandparents; anyone can shoot once they’re 12.”
Whether it’s walking onto the Olympic stage or travelling halfway across the world, James and Cameron carry their small-town roots with them.
From local ranges to world championships, they are showing that local talent can take aim, and hit the stars.
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