When Amanda Brown steps onto the shooting range, she carries more than just a shotgun; she carries decades of passion, the legacy of her parents, and the hopes of a small-town club that feels more like family.
At 33, Amanda is a mother of six, a business owner, and one of Western Australia’s most dedicated clay target shooters.
Originally from Bunbury and now living in Perth, she’s been shooting since she was 11.
In April, she hit her mark once again, after being awarded various medals.
“I felt on top of the world,” Amanda says, describing the moment she found out she had placed. “Just being there was huge for me. Winning was a dream come true.”
Amanda’s love for clay target shooting began long before she could even hold a gun.
Her parents, both decorated shooters with over 35 years of experience, introduced her to the sport early. “I’ve been going to gun clubs for as long as I can remember,” she says. “Watching Mum and Dad made me want to be like them, do what they did, and hopefully one day achieve what they have.”
It wasn’t just the sport that drew her in; it was the people.
“You meet all kinds of people in shooting. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, your age or gender. Everyone competes under the same banner,” she said. “That’s what I love, it’s all about your ability and effort.”
Amanda’s long-time home club, Boyup Brook, is where she says she feels most at home. “It’s not just a club, it’s a family. The support and love you get there is second to none.”
Her love for the sport has become a multi-generational affair. She recently competed alongside her dad and her son; three generations on the range together. “That made it even more special,” she says.
Finding time to train isn’t easy when you’re raising six kids and running a business. Amanda says most of her practice comes from local weekend competitions. But what she lacks in routine training, she makes up for with focus, mindset, and a deep passion for the sport.
“Shooting is so much more mental than people realise,” she said.
“I take deep breaths, watch the person before me, and sometimes I even sing to myself in my head to calm my nerves.”
Planning her competition year is a team effort between her and her husband. Together, they figure out which events she can attend; balancing finances, family commitments, and the kids’ own sports. “It’s a lot of compromise and sacrifice,” she admits, “but it’s worth it.”
Amanda has come a long way in her 22 years of competing. She’s a proud member of the WA State Ladies Team and has won several national titles, including the National Ladies 410g and 20g Skeet Titles, plus gold in the National Two-Women Team event. She’s even represented Australia in the Mackintosh Ladies Team against New Zealand.
But what excites her most isn’t medals; it’s the feeling. “Success, to me, is still getting butterflies in my stomach before a shoot. It’s smiling, laughing, and doing what I love with my family. Winning is just a bonus.”
As more women take up clay target shooting, Amanda is excited about the future. “The numbers are rising, and it’s great to see. For any young woman thinking about it, just give it a go. You never know what you’re capable of until you try.”
Amanda said she wishes more people understood what shooting is really about.
“Guns are often misunderstood. But in this sport, they’re a tool; just like in any other. Clay shooting teaches focus, hand-eye coordination, skill, and discipline. And it welcomes everyone.”
When asked what keeps her coming back after more than two decades, she says: “It’s the love I have for the sport, the people I’ve met, and the places it can take you.”
In Amanda’s words, her clay shooting journey has been a “rollercoaster of so many highs and lows.” But through it all, one thing is certain; she’s not done yet.
Her sights are set on the state titles in September, a spot on the WA State Team, and maybe even the world stage. “The world is your oyster in this sport,” she says. And Amanda Brown is just getting started.
