Master blaster puts the polish on young guns

OLD HAND: Greg Yelavich instructs local shooter Lauren Mungo in preparation for the McMillan Cup. PHOTO/JOHN STONE

New Zealand's most definitive Commonwealth Games medallist, Greg Yelavich, is no stranger to shooting pistols. He is also no stranger to shooting his wealth of knowledge out at younger participants in the sport.

That was on show at the Whangarei Pistol Club yesterday, where he was warmly received by several junior Whangarei shooters.

Yelavich said his success in the sport had provided him with a tool to keep interest in pistol shooting alive and well. "I like to think that I motivate them. I tell them a little about where they can go, shooting-wise.

"I have a wealth of experience and coaching skills, so I just dip into that and try to get them to enjoy the day and pick up some good skills along the way."

With young shooters across the country hoping to perform well at the McMillan Cup in September - an annual youth tournament with the purpose of developing young shooters toward senior competition - Yelavich fronts several training events for up-and-coming shooters, though not as many as in recent years.

"There's been a bit of hype," Yelavich says of his previous teaching experiences.

"I guess that when you can stand up and say you've got 12 Commonwealth Games medals, have been to a couple of Olympics and have 80-something national titles, then if they can connect with that it shows I'm old, I've fired a couple of shots and I might know a little bit."

By providing a platform between the fun and competitive sides of shooting, Yelavich hopes his teachings within the shooting realm will rub off on those who want to take the sport to the next level.

His experience proved valuable for the Whangarei juniors yesterday. "We all grew up with heroes," he said.

"With this group here, I've met them a few times so I think I can get on well with most of them, pick their body language [and] I believe that as a coach I can tell them what's wrong and how to fix it."

The Whangarei Pistol Club has a competition running over both days of this weekend.