Catherine Skinner’s gold medal a huge boost for Shooting Australia’s development program
YOUNG shooting star Catherine Skinner says Australia’s first shooting gold medal since 2004 is the emphatic retort to withering criticism of the sport’s development program.
YOUNG shooting star Catherine Skinner says Australia’s first shooting gold medal since 2004 is the emphatic retort to withering criticism of the sport’s development program.
Shooting Australia has been dismayed by months of negative headlines after selection squabbles, interminable appeals and Michael Diamond’s dramatic dumping from the Rio team.
Gold medallist Russell Mark has also publicly attacked the Winning Edge funding program concentrating on elite talent, saying it is “killing the sport of shooting”.
But Skinner’s triumphant victory was the shot in the arm shotgun shooting needed as she won the first gold medal since Suzy Balogh’s trap victory at the 2004 Olympics.
Skinner and fellow trap finalist Laetisha Scanlan are both 26, with youngsters Mitch Iles (17), Aislin Jones (16) and James Willett (20) all here in Rio.
She says it is proof the funding programs and junior development are there despite the focus on shooting stars like dual gold medallist Diamond.
“I think it’s going to be really positive for (Shooting Australia), to show that their programs have been paying off,’’ she said.
“They have been copping a bit of flak over the time and a fair bit of criticism over there and while it is an ongoing process because every system has its own flaws and takes a long time, it’s nice to see the programs they have been developing through the juniors have really been paying off.
“And hopefully it also gets us some more funding out of it and a few more results.”
Shooting Australia received just over $2.5 million in high-performance funding, with Skinner’s gold medal ensuring the cash will keep flowing.
She said on Monday Shooting Australia’s programs had allowed her to progress through the sport when funding might have seen her give it away.
Challenges lie ahead given the breakdown of some relationships due to Mitch Iles’ appeal, with high performance manager Tim Mahon moving to the Commonwealth Games association after Rio.
But Shooting Australia will hope to blend the old with the new, with Diamond keen to continue on and the new blood invigorating the sport.
Iles was rebuffed by Shooting Australia for Rio selection and after the Court of Arbitration for Sport asked the peak body to re-select its team he missed out again.
But Shooting Australia says they still sent him to world cup meets during the selection furore and allowed him to be ready for Rio after Diamond was dumped.
Skinner’s brother Craig said yesterday the 26-year-old’s hard work had paid off after constant travel over the years.
She had won two silver medals at world cup meets over the years and a bronze medal at the 2014 world championships.
“It’s just perseverance and preparation and not stopping. It’s travelling, travelling and more travelling,’’ he said.
“She used to do six to 12 trips a year overseas. Every different event you could name she has shot at. And now we are here.”
Originally published as Catherine Skinner’s gold medal a huge boost for Shooting Australia’s development program
Bold new plunge that has left Jess Fox nervous
Put a paddle in her hand and she’s a fearless competitor but Jess Fox admits she is suddenly nervous. She explains her latest career move to Robert Craddock.
Australia’s first Paris gold medallist pulls pin after historic feat
Australia’s first gold medal winner from the Paris Olympics is committed to retirement – despite becoming the first woman to complete the Olympic-world titles time trial golden double.