A decade of preparation leads to National shoot in Roma

Roma Clay Target Club is hosting the country's biggest shoot, starting today.

READY TO GO: Roma Clay Target Club president Andrew Whyte is welcoming shooters from across Australia to his club today, as back-to-back national competitions kick off. Picture: W.H.W. LUCKHOFF

In every year that ends with a 9, Roma Clay Target Club has the privilege of hosting Australia's biggest shooting event.

All the action kicks off today and hundreds of competitors, along with their families and supporters, have arrived in Roma for both the Pre-national Roman Chariot Shoot and Australian National Trap Shoot.

Combined, the guest numbers are easily in the thousands and hosting them is a responsibility the Roma Clay Target Club takes seriously, president Andrew Whyte said.

"We held the nationals in 1999 and 2009, and we have been preparing for this year since the day after the 2009 nationals finished.

"The total nominations to date are nearly 600 shooters.

"About 490 people are shooting for the national titles and we have just over 300 who have nominated to shoot for the car - a prize donated by Armstrong Auto Group,” he said.

While the recent rain had left the grounds a little soggy, Whyte said it would have no impact on the sporting spectacle.

"The weather won't inhibit us shooting unless it starts pouring; something like the rain we've been having isn't a real issue.

"It would have been nice if the rain held out for a couple of days but we are definitely not whinging,” he said.