Rooney set for third Games campaign
Olympic silver medallist Natalie Rooney has been named in the New Zealand team for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee, together with the NZ Shooting Federation, yesterday announced an experienced group of 11 shooters for the upcoming Games.
Among those named are Timaruvian Rooney, Delhi 2010 gold medallist John Snowden and Glasgow 2014 gold medallist Sally Johnston.
Returning from previous Games campaigns are Ricky Zhao (Glasgow 2014), Myles BrowneCole (Glasgow 2014, Delhi 2010), Scott Wilson (Manchester 2002), Brian Carter (Melbourne 2006), Ryan Taylor (Athens 2004, Melbourne 2006, Delhi 2010, London 2012, Glasgow 2014, Rio 2016) and Chloe Tipple (Rio 2016).
Janet Hunt and Owen Robinson have also been named and will make their Games debuts at Gold Coast 2018.
This will be the third time trap shooter Rooney has represented her country at the Commonwealth Games.
‘‘It’s pretty exciting,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s always an awesome achievement to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games. I’ve been working hard towards this and it’ll be great to compete so close to home,’’ she said.
‘‘I’ve just started back training and I’m definitely finding form.
‘‘I shot well over the weekend and managed to win the South Island championships which I was pretty happy with.’’
The Rio silver medallist expects to face stiff competition at Gold Coast 2018.
‘‘Both of the Aussies that were in the final with me in Rio will be there [Catherine Skinner, Laetisha Scanlan].
‘‘The Commonwealth Games is always going to be tough, there are very good shooters from lots of countries but it’ll be a good challenge.’’
Veteran prone rifle shooter Ryan Taylor is returning for his fourth Commonwealth Games and hopes to gather his first medal.
‘‘My event has been dropped from the Olympic Games so I’ve been training as hard as I can because this may be my last Games campaign,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘I’ve just finished a lot of trials and I’m going to be training like crazy over the next few months. It’s going to be a great competition.’’
NZ Shooting Federation sport development manager Gavin Paton expects the team’s experience to prove the difference on the Gold Coast.
‘‘This is a strong team so we’re looking forward to positive results. A tough selection process has brought out the best shooters,’’ he said.
‘‘This team has spent a lot of time training and travelling to competitions and World Cups and events to qualify so they should be proud of what they’ve achieved already,’’ he said.
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games shooting will be contested at the Belmont Shooting Centre from April 8-14.