Since 2013, JP De Jager has represented South Africa in Field Target shooting on more than one occasion, but this year he will be wearing different colours.
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De Jager, who is originally from South Africa but has been living in Inverell for the last three years, competed at the Field Target Nationals in Milmerran on June 15, and finished third overall.
As Australia only sends a team to the world championships every two years, he hasn't yet been officially selected in the Australian team, but his nationals result was good enough to be able to represent Australia at the World Field Target Federation World Championships in England in August, along with the three other competitors who also finished in the top four at nationals.
"I'm very happy," De Jager said.
"I'm very fortunate to be in a team like that."
De Jager said it might feel a little odd representing Australia after previously donning the South African colours, but he is still looking forward to the opportunity.
"The way they handle things over here is a little different, but it's nice to know I've been in two different teams," he said.
Field Target involves shooters aiming to hit reactive 'fall-when-hit' targets of various sizes at often unknown ranges from eight to 50 metres.
De Jager will be competing in the open class at the World Championships in the PCP category, which is the most common category.
"There's about 450 people shooting in that category," he said.
It's an impressive achievement for De Jager, given he hasn't participated in many competitions in Australia.
"Nationals was my first competition in Australia, on Australian ground," he said.
"It was nice to see I could still do it."
De Jager said that Field Target isn't particularly popular in Australia, so most of his practice he does on his own.
However, that hasn't stopped him from working hard as he prepares to go up against some of the best shooters in the world.
"I have been practising, especially because I'm going to the World Championships. I only have five weeks left," he said.
De Jager is still hoping to find more sponsorships to help fund his trip to England and he has also started a GoFundMe page.
The World Field Target Federation World Championships will be held from August 7 to 11.
