Updated Games line-up enhances Echuca’s hosting bid

This comes after an extensive campaign from the International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) and Shooting Australia to extend the sports association with the games for a 14th time.

An Expression of Interest was lodged earlier this year after its initial omission, one that helped see the long-standing Commonwealth Games sport take its place in the line-up.

While event hosts weren’t officially announced, this seemingly paves the way for the Victorian State Range in Echuca to host shotgun events after it was surveyed by Shooting Australia in August as one of three sites deemed preferable for Commonwealth Games hosting.

Echuca Clay Target Club president Nicholas Dean said it was a win to have shooting included on the program, but with 2006 Commonwealth Games Clay Target Shooting hosts Lilydale gunning to snatch the event, there was still a bit to play out.

“What we’re hoping will happen is that as Shooting Australia have endorsed Bendigo as the hub for Shooting Sports (full-bore and air rifle events), it, by extension, lends Echuca to be hosting the Trap Events,” Mr Dean said.

“That’s what we’re hoping will happen and that gives us the feel that it’s a 90 percent chance of being held in Echuca.

“Unfortunately for us, Lilydale are also pushing to hold the Trap events there, but Lilydale’s a long way from Bendigo.”

Mr Dean outlined the significant benefits of hosting events in Echuca, a town noted for its passionate sport shooting community.

“Now that it has been included, we’re ecstatic about that, we just need to get it to Echuca because the benefit financially for Central and Northern Victoria is huge,” he said.

“The legacy for future generations is huge because the facilities at Echuca will hopefully be upgraded to take us into the next 50-60 years. The next generations will benefit from that.

“We are the State ground; if we’re not already (the Games) will cement us as one of the jewels in the crown of not just Victorian shooting, but Australia-wide.”

For world champion shooter Kiara Dean, an opportunity for the Echuca talent to compete at a major competition at her home club is one step closer.

“That’s going to be so cool,” Ms Dean said.

“It’s quite a tough line-up; the Aussie girls are fairly incredible, it will be really good to see how that goes.”

Meanwhile, Greater Shepparton has been confirmed as one of five regional host cities with BMX, men and women’s time trial cycling, and a cultural festival coming to the area.

A timeframe for shooting venue announcements hasn’t been disclosed.