Wales Makes History in the Australia Match

Preparations Complete

Following a highly successful week of individual competitions, the team entered Day 10 of the tour for the Australia Practice Match. The session provided an important opportunity to fine-tune techniques and make final adjustments ahead of the main event.

As has become tradition on tour, the infamous ” Hat” was awarded to the team member responsible for the previous day’s most memorable mishap. This honour went to Gemma Williams, who managed the rare feat of setting her sights five minutes low before following it up with a cross-shot onto the neighbouring target.

With preparations complete, the team enjoyed a relaxed evening meal and an early night, fully focused on the challenge that awaited them.

Day 11: The Australia Match for the Empire Trophy

The moment everyone had been working towards had finally arrived. After months of training, competition, fundraising and preparation, Team Wales stepped onto the firing point to contest one of the sport’s most historic international team events, first competed for in 1907.

Wales made an outstanding start at 300 yards, becoming one of only two target teams to complete the distance without dropping a single point. The excellent opening provided a strong platform as the competition moved through the longer ranges.

Throughout the day, Wales faced fierce competition from Canada, Australia and the recently included United States team. As the match progressed through 600, 700, 800 and 900 yards, Wales maintained a narrow lead, with Canada emerging as their closest challenger.

By the time the teams reached the final distance of 1,000 yards, the contest had developed into a thrilling head-to-head battle. With just two points separating the leading teams, every shot carried enormous significance.

Canada completed their shooting first, leaving Wales’ result resting on a single final shot.

All eyes turned to Toby Little.

As silence fell across the range, Little settled onto the target for the decisive moment. The shot broke cleanly, and moments later the electronic scoring system delivered the verdict:

“V Bull!”

The centre shot secured an historic victory for Wales and delivered the team’s first-ever Australia Match title.

A Victory to Remember

The achievement represented the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, teamwork and commitment from everyone involved with the Welsh squad. It was a landmark result for a young team that rose to the occasion under immense pressure.

The team extended its sincere thanks to ICFRA for organising the International Championships, providing athletes with a world-class international competition. Appreciation was also expressed to the range staff, officials and electronic target operators whose efforts ensured the championships ran smoothly throughout.

Special thanks were given to the National Lottery and ION8 for their support, helping make the tour possible and keeping the team hydrated throughout the campaign.

The celebrations continued into the evening with a gala dinner attended by more than 270 competitors from around the world in Brisbane. During the presentation ceremony, the awards were presented by the Governor of Queensland, and Team Wales received a standing ovation in recognition of their historic achievement.

It was a moment that will live long in the memories of everyone involved.

Article adapted from the original report by Martin Watkins, Team Adjutant.