Tonga will soon be a new location for international clay shooting competitions after a new shooting range, the Mataki’eua Clay Target Range, was launched today at Mataki’eua.

The new range, established by the Shooting Association of Tonga (SAT), was officially opened and named by HM King Tupou VI, last Thursday 29 September at a low key event.

SAT President, Collin McCarthy, said that more works are on the cards for a second layout to be installed next year, including small facilities and amenities.

He said the works would allow Tonga to hold clay shooting international competitions in the future.

“Clay shooting in Tonga is now able to develop to international standards to eventually hold international events including a Tri Nations Shoot already in the planning with Samoa and Fiji.”

He added SAT was looking at including a Junior Program where teenagers from 15-years-old can take part. A monthly local shooting competition will also be held for grading purposes.

Mr McCarthy said he is also looking at bringing in an expert in the future from New Zealand to conduct international training. 

SAT was formed last year and incorporated earlier this year in April with 28 financial members to date. The King is the patron of SAT and an avid shooter with the range only a short distance from the Royal Villa at Mataki’eua.

Target range

Shooters gather at an undercover area before making their way down to the shooting area where they stand on concrete platforms to take aim at flying clay targets.

The trap used to launch the clay is built to international standards into the range in front of the shooters, under ground level, costing around TOP$18,000. It consists of a 12 clay feeder, launching clays automatically although an individual is stationed in the trap to refill when the clay runs out.

There is also a manual trap used as a single feeder on ground level that manually launches the clay into the air.  SAT is currently seeking funding for two new traps at international standard.

The shooting field has markers at 300m from the range. Each shot fired loses speed at 250m before falling to the ground. Clay targets that are missed are collected for reuse.

The firearms currently used at the range were acquired with the help of Tonga Police and the Commissioner. TASANOC and the Ministry of Revenue and Customs assisted with the import of ammunition and clay. No arms or ammunition are ever stored on site for safety reasons.

Members have their own shotguns and shoot every Saturday.

Shooting Association of Tonga board members are: President: Colin McCarthy; Vice President, Sam Tatafu; Secretary, Commander Brisbane Lokotui; Treasurer, Daniel Jones; Assistant Secretary, Fehoko Manu.