Laetisha Scanlan shows her silver medal from the World Youth Olympics in Sydney this month.By Marc McGowan
BERWICK starlet Laetisha Scanlan is looking ahead to bigger goals after shooting her way to a silver medal at the World Youth Olympics in Sydney this month.
Scanlan, 16, has set her sights on the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
The teenager has only been involved in clay target shooting for two years, and for just six months in her current discipline – trench.
Trench generally involves four rounds of 25 targets with the shooter faced with different speeds and angles.
The targets are randomly released by a computer system, so no individual can anticipate which target will be thrown.
Before switching to trench, Scanlan competed in down the line shooting, which is not an Olympic event.
The year 11 student received a scholarship to Haileybury College’s Keysborough campus this year and her World Youth Olympics performance justified the school’s decision.
Scanlan led the field throughout, but was caught right on the line by fellow Victorian and good friend Catherine Skinner, which resulted in a shoot-out after which Skinner came out on top.
“It was a bit disappointing, but it was a really good experience,” Scanlan said.
“It was my first time representing Australia and it was really exciting to meet people from other countries.”
Scanlan pointed out the qualities required to be a good shooter.
“It’s skill and what’s in your head. You have to be talented in blocking everything out,” she said.
Her father, Bernie, coaches the young shooter, which provides some interesting moments at times.
“It’s good because it’s brought us closer,” the student said.
“Sometimes it’s hard because you don’t know where to draw the line between father and coach, but overall I enjoy it.”
Scanlan also received some special tuition heading into the competition.
“In the weeks leading up, I trained every single weekend and I trained with the Australian coach (Greg Chan), who is a family friend,” she said.
Success is not new to Scanlan, who finished third in the world in down the line in Wagga Wagga last April.
It has not come without hard work, however, and she trains at Frankston Australian Clay Target Club on Wednesdays and competes every Saturday and Sunday.
Scanlan said it would be a dream come true to reach the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.
“I need to shoot in more international competitions and make more Australian teams to get experience,” she said.
She certainly has the talent, but most importantly will have plenty of opportunities to improve over the next few years.
“The fact I’m a junior is a big strength in the sport because it is lacking juniors,” Scanlan said.
“As a female, there are a lot of opportunities to represent Australia.
“I am a competitive person and always have been, which does help. It makes me more determined to shoot well.”
While Scanlan’s biggest goals are still a few years away from fruition, another major challenge awaits if she is good enough this year.
“I am probably going to the world championships in September in Cyprus,” she said.
“I have already tried out, so now I’m just waiting for the results. Because it’s a world championships, it is held over a couple of shoots.”
The event would also provide her with another chance to learn about the inner workings of the sport.
“The whole game of shooting is psyching people out,” Scanlan said.
“But I (prefer to) keep quiet. That’s just me.”
