Jindera’s Harry Briese is fast becoming one of the most consistent shooters at the Albury Small Bore Rifle Club.
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Incredibly, he’s only 15 years of age.
After coming along for his first shoot at the club with his father, Mark, just 18 months ago, it’s fair to say Harry was quick to catch on.
The Border rifle club’s captain Kevin Corneliusen said it was a pleasure to see a young man eager to learn the art of shooting by being an intent listener.
“At first there was a witness to a competitive nature between father and son, which seems to be as strong now as it ever was,” Corneliusen said.
“What a great way to learn how to maintain pressure at a top level.”
Club member Trevor Jones took Harry under his wing to teach him some of the finer points of shooting, but Corneliusen admitted it wasn’t long before Trevor could take lessons from his student given how well Harry was shooting week in, week out.
His stellar season included the sub-junior (under 16) title for both 20 and 50-metre shooting, Harry was also the under 18 and under 21 champion at the club for 20 and 50 metres.
On top of that, Harry was the B grade champion and aggregate winner, as well as the open grand aggregate winner and the club’s most improved.
Harry was forced to make several adjustments to his gear to counter his growth pattern, but it clearly didn’t affect his scoring of high end 180s into the 190s.
“Now from his prone position, shooting a score of 195 out of 200, Harry feels he’s had a bad day at the range,” Corneliusen said.
“He’s a genuine critic of his own competitive performance.”
Corneliusen added Harry’s scores are now being highly regarded by the Victorian head coach, which wasn’t the case prior to August this year.
“He seems to be getting the scores required to remain in the Victorian junior side that has the cut-off age of 21,” Corneliusen said.
“I think Harry’s future in the sport is still a work in progress and we certainly would like to see him making a name for himself and a little rifle club in downtown Albury.”
Harry hopes his success will lead to more younger people taking up the sport in the region.
“It hasn’t cost a lot of money to get into because I’ve borrowed a lot of gear,” Harry said.
“People think it would be an expensive sport, but certainly to get started it isn’t.”
When he’s not on the range, Harry is a keen tennis player and mountain bike rider.