James Willett, Penny Smith call for shooting to return to Commonwealth Games

Two of Australia’s best shooters are calling for the sport’s return at the 2026 Commonwealth Games describing its absence as a “missed opportunity”.

Australia’s best shooters are desperate to see the sport return to the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

Shooting has not been included in the 2022 event in Birmingham and is no guarantee to be there when regional Victoria hosts the Games in four years time.

When the Victorian Government released the dates earlier this year, shooting was not one of the original 16 sports included.

It means the International Shooting Sport Federation must now submit its proposal to be included as a discipline to Commonwealth Games organisers by next month.

A decision on “Phase 2 Sports” will be made in October.

Among those calling for the sport’s return is Olympian James Willett from Yarrawonga.

“It’s a no-brainer and it’s a missed opportunity when we’re hosting the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane where the sport will be in action,” Willett said.

Two Australian duos recently faced off in the Mixed Teams Event. Photo: Shooting Australia.

“Victoria has several clubs in Melbourne and regionally which would be more than adequate. I competed at the 2018 Games in Queensland and it was a fantastic experience.

“Australia has a great history in the sport. It’s disappointing we’re not in Birmingham at the moment. If the event was back home, we know we’d receive a lot of support — we don’t get to compete in front of family and friends too often.

“Hopefully we see a change of heart for 2026.”

Australia’s dominance on the world stage was recently affirmed at the ISSF World Cup in South Korea where two Aussie teams faced off in the final of the Trap Mixed Teams event.

Willett combined with Penny Smith to win gold after shooting 146 out of 150 against Catherine Skinner and Thomas Grice.

Smith said the performance underlined why she wanted to see shooting back at the Commonwealth Games.

She also came away with a silver medal in the individual trap women’s event after shooting a personal best 122 out of 125.

“It would be a fantastic opportunity for us to win more medals,” she said.

“We have such a strong group of shooters who love travelling together and competing. Shooting against each other in a final actually made it feel a lot more relaxed.”

The Australian men's rifle team that won bronze. Photo: Shooting Australia.

Meanwhile, the men’s rifle team of Michael Davis (Victoria), Dane Sampson and Jack Rossiter won bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions team event in Korea.

Earlier this month, Shooting Australia launched its “Shoot for the Games 2026” social media campaign in a bid to have the sport return to the Commonwealth Games.

India has also been vocal in its calls for the sport to return.