Newington’s Rifle Shooting team meets this week for its annual training camp this week, in preparation for the Rifle Shooting AAGPS Championships, held the first week of Term 3. Year 12 student and Captain of Rifle Shooting, Franklin S, explains why this exacting discipline requires dedication and perseverance, and how it is a fulfilling sport, enjoyed by many.

Franklin S hits the bullseye when he says rifle shooting and Newington share a historic connection. 

‘Rifle shooting was one of the foundation sports and has a rich history dating all the way back to 1869,’ he says.  

‘The GPS competition started not long after with Newington being awarded the first ever GPS premiership in 1905 and then winning it for the next four years until 1909, the second longest winning streak in the history of the sport.’ 

Franklin first became aware of the sport when he was in Year 8 and in Year 9 he decided to give it a go. He says he fell in love with the pursuit and has participated ever since.  

‘It gave me the opportunity to learn from highly skilled individuals something that takes years to master, and in which you compete not only with those around you, but with yourself,’ Franklin says.  

‘Also, there is always something to work on to improve your marksmanship, and it’s a sport that can be learnt by everyone no matter age or physical limitations.’ 

Mrs Julie Daly, College Archivist, says rifle shooting started as a sport following the formation of the Newington College Army Cadet Unit, one of the oldest continuously running school cadet corps in Australia.  

‘There was a close connection with the Cadet Corps and while Cadets did not have to join the Rifle Club, only Cadets were permitted to join,’ she says. 

‘Later, the club was split into senior and junior divisions, with a Carbine Club (carbines were short rifles used by the younger Cadets) for the junior students. 

‘In the list of prize-winners of the NSW Rifle Association, the first mention of a Newington winner is William H Webb (ON 1871) who won in 1869, our first year of competition.’ 

The 2025 Rifle Shooting AAGPS Championships runs from 21 to 23 July. Franklin and his fellow participants will head to Hornsby Rifle Range where Newington will field two teams of eight apiece to compete in the Firsts Premiership and Seconds Premiership apiece.  The rifle shooting program at Newington is managed by Director of Rifle Shooting, Mr John Schweitzer, a Firearms Safety Training Instructor for the NSW Government Firearms Registry. 

‘In the GPS competition, the Firsts shoot at three ranges, positioned 300m, 500m and 600m away, with the Seconds only shooting at 300m and 500m,’ explains Franklin. 

There are two shooting sequences competitors must master, Application and SNAP; Application is done at all distances, whilst SNAP is only done at 300m. Marks in competition are scored for precision and proficiency. 

The SNAP sequence differs in that the targets are much smaller, and the shots are timed with the targets turning every five seconds. 

‘This makes it seem as if the target has disappeared,’ says Frankin.  

‘Thus, each competitor has a maximum of five seconds to hit the tiny target and then five seconds to reload for consecutive shots. The teams that lose the least points across each distance and sequence are the winners, and the individuals that lose the least points are invited to join the representative GPS combined team.’ 

Says Head of Sport, Mr Mark Dickens, the program at Newington is open to students in Years 9 to 12. All students complete rigorous theoretical and practical testing and training to receive a permit. Ongoing participation in the program is supported by continuous student assessment, training and safety reinforcement.  

One of the factors Franklin likes most about his chosen sport is its inclusivity. 

‘Rifle shooting suits the type of student that works diligently and consistently, someone who is resilient and willing to be in it for the long game,’ he says.  

‘Anyone can do it with enough practice, no matter the gender, strength or age which is part of what makes the sport so great. Its diversity of people, from young to old, allows you to learn so much from people with lots more experience.’ 

Equally though, to become a proficient marksman takes time and dedication. 

‘Our sport is not just about pulling a trigger; it is about discipline. 

‘You must be in complete control of your heart rate, breathing, body position, trigger pull, and most importantly, your mind because each component plays a massive role in how you perform as does outside factors like wind conditions. This season, winning is in our sights as we have many great new competitors, but if we don’t win overall, we hope to bring back at least one of the three competition cups.’  

---

Follow the links below to learn more about our co-curricular offerings and the history of Newington College.