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australian industry trade college
Taking part in sport can help you feel healthier and mentally strong, and that is just the beginning. Sport can develop great leaders and provides an opportunity for individuals to shine, whether it is playing for a local club or at an international level. At the AITC we have many young people who shine in their chosen sport or activity. They demonstrate the AITC values to achieve their best. Here we share Josh’s story.
Ipswich young person, Josh Pratt, is a dedicated Target Rifle shooter focusing on his talent since the age of 12. Target shooting is one of the oldest organised sports in Australia with records dating back to 1788. Target shooters are positioned lying down and are required to wear a shooting coat and sling to assist with support.
told me I’d won it. I was in shock. I never thought I’d be able to do it. I got carried in the chair—it made me feel amazing. All the hard work I’d done to get there—in that moment I knew I’d done it.”
Competitions are held throughout the year and in May 2021 Josh competed and won the North Queensland Rifle Association (NQRA) Queens Prize Competition. This is a threeday competition over ranges varying from 500m to 900m.
He is a member of the Natives Rifle Club at Belmont where the club issued this statement following his success. “Josh’s shooting has gone from strength to strength ... he has not yet found a plateau.... What impresses most is not the upward trajectory of his fine shooting, but the hard work, good humour and steely resolve that has underpinned these results.”
With some tough competition, including previous Queens winners and the current world champion, Josh used his skill and calm temperament to overcome and win the A grade competition. He is the youngest person in the history of Australia to win the North Queensland Queens. “I couldn’t believe it,” says Josh. “At the last range, when I finished shooting, my mum was waiting for me and
There’s more to pulling the trigger to win. There’s an incredible amount of preparation before, and during, an intense competition. During a competition Josh will focus on his breathing to try and make the rifle remain still. “I want to relax my muscles so there’s no shaking. I try to clear my mind as much as possible and focus on the target — making sure everything is centred. Then when I’m
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releasing the shot everything goes out of my mind and I slowly let the shot go and focus on trying to get it as dead centre as possible.” The next major competition is Queensland Rifle Association Queen’s (State Championships). Josh will be up against tough competitors from around Australia. “Usually in my grade (Grade A) there’s over 100 competitors.” To mentally prepare during the competition Josh says, “I try not to overthink it too much. I try to really focus on what I’m doing. I don’t worry what anybody else is doing. “I make sure my gear is right. Anything to take my mind off things. If I start to get nervous I focus on my breathing and that takes my mind off everything else and it helps me get back into the rhythm.” It’s an intense and exhausting competition which lasts for three days with 10 ranges. “We move up the ranges starting at 300 yards. We have 40 targets with eight people per
