AFTER clinching first place in the National Trials in Perth, Rutherglen’s double-trap shooter Gaye Shale now has her eyes firmly set on a spot in the Commonwealth Games.
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Shale, who has been shooting for 12 years, also took out the Commonwealth Titles in Perth.
The results mean Shale, 45, is now in a good position heading into the final event of six shoots that were held across the country to decide who would represent Australia at Glasgow later this year.
Shale is tied for first, eight points ahead of the third-placed shooter, meaning her spot is all but assured provided she continues to shoot as she has been at the final competition in Adelaide in March.
“It feels really good,” Shale said.
“Before Perth I was sitting in third position, but I shot well and now it looks like I’ll make it.”
Shale narrowly missed out on representing Australia at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006, and was disappointed the event was then omitted from the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games.
“It was around May last year where the Commonwealth Games Federation decided that they would re-introduce women’s double trap for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games,” Shale said.
“So I thought I’d see how I go this time.
“In 2006 I probably had a bit much on my plate, but now I’m able to put more time in.
“I’ve represented Australia before at the ISSF Oceania Championships back in November and I won the gold medal there, so I’m really doing well at the moment.”
Shooting seems to run in the family for Shale, with her son Adam also being an excellent shooter.
“Adam is bidding for a position in the Australian team that is shooting sporting clays in Portugal,” she said.