On target: Paddy Eeles shoots at Echuca Clay Target Club, which has been touted as a potential 2026 Commonwealth Games venue. Photo: Steve Huntley
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Steve Huntley
Echuca may have a part to play at one of the biggest sporting events in the world following regional Victoria’s successful bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Echuca Clay Target Club (ECTC) is “waiting with bated breath” for the final announcement on the Games’ event schedule, with the potential inclusion of shooting set to confirm Echuca’s status as a Commonwealth Games event host.
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Victoria entered “exclusive negotiations” to host the Games regionally in February, with confirmation of a successful bid coming on Tuesday.
Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland have been announced as four pre-determined “hubs,” and are set to host 16 announced events, with Shepparton also set to share in hosting duties.
The potential admission of sport shooting, which is yet to be announced, would see Echuca join its regional counterparts in hosting the Commonwealth Games, with negotiations between various sporting bodies confirming ECTC will host an event.
“If (shooting) is announced, we don’t have to worry so much about securing it — it will definitely be at Echuca,” ECTG president Nicholas Dean said.
“Echuca Clay Target Club and VCTA (Victorian Clay Target Association) have already had those discussions that it will be here.”
Dean said it was now a “waiting game” to see if sport shooting made the cut, with Commonwealth Games Australia indicating further sports would be announced later this year.
Sport shooting has been included at every Commonwealth Games since 1966, with the exception of the 1970 Edinburgh edition.
It was also included at the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast, and Victoria’s most recent games in Melbourne back in 2006.
“What we’re waiting on with bated breath is the announcement of shooting actually being in the Games,” Dean said.
“We’ll be full steam ahead once that happens.
“There’s some pressure being put on behind the scenes (for shooting’s inclusion), internationally as well as domestically.”
Victorian Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula, Premier Daniel Andrews, Commonwealth Games Federation president Dame Louise Martin, Regional Development Minister Mary-Anne-Thomas and MP Michaela Settle celebrate Victoria being named host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games with athletes and children at Mars Stadium in Ballarat. Photo: AAP/Con Chronis
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CON CHRONIS
Confirmation of Echuca hosting sport shooting would also spark planned infrastructure upgrades at the club, according to Dean.
“At the moment there’s plans being drawn up for a new club house,” he said.
“Because it’s an Olympic event, it becomes ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation), which is Olympic trap. We have three of those traps.
“We’ll be looking at putting shot curtains in and improving the grounds, more putting in powered sites for on-site accommodation.”
While the Commonwealth Games are still four years away, an event at the ECTC could potentially see a fairy-tale home-club showing for young shooting prodigy Kiara Dean, who is currently a part of the Australian Shooting pathway.
It would be a proud moment for father Nick as well.
“(Commonwealth Games) is the end goal, that’s what she’s pushing for,” Dean said.
“Not just Olympics, Commonwealth Games as well.
“To be able to do that on home soil, how fantastic would that be?”
Early estimates are tipping the Games to inject $3 billion into the Victorian economy, and Dean is tipping a “massive” event for Echuca, a town with strong sport shooting representation.
“It would be massive,” Dean said.
“Because Echuca’s already a tourist destination, we have a lot of accommodation here to be able to cater for it.
“It’s the pinnacle of the sport to have the Commonwealth Games here.”
Geelong looks set to host the lion’s share of events with seven, Bendigo has been allocated five, Gippsland has four and Ballarat will host three.
