“I have been lucky enough to be selected as a member of the Australian under-25 target rifle team,” McNaught said.

“There are seven shooters on the team from across NSW and Queensland.

“We are competing in the World Long Range Rifle Championships at Camp Perry in Ohio next month and will be shooting against teams from other nations including North America, Great Britain, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.”

Participants compete with .308 calibre rifles using peep sights and shooting at ranges between 300 and 1000 yards.

“In preparation for the world championships we have had team training days in Brisbane as well as practising and competing as individuals over the past 12 months,” she said.

McNaught first began fullbore target shooting as part of the New England Girls’ School team when she was 13.

“I’d used the .22 around the property with mum and dad when I was growing up but didn’t start target shooting until I went to NEGS,” she said.

“Since then I have been a member of the NSW under- 25 state team that competed in the Australian national team’s matches in Bendigo last year where we were victorious over the other under-25 state teams.

“I also shot on the NSW Country under 25 team on four separate occasions between 2010 and 2014.”

While no one in McNaught’s immediate family shoots competitively, there are shooting genes in the family.

“I had a great, great uncle who was a sniper in World War I and another great great uncle who coached the Canadian Olympic skeet and trap team,” she said.

The best thing about target shooting was the diversity of people you meet along the way, according to McNaught. 

“Since it is largely an open competition you meet and shoot against men and women of all ages and from all walks of life,” she said.

“People are always happy to help one another out, particularly when it comes to the younger shooters.

“I still assist with the NEGS team at their annual training camp prior to the school’s matches in Sydney each July.”

“Shooting also helped me gain a gap year position working at Gresham’s School in England in 2012.

“This gave me the opportunity to shoot in the Imperial Matches at Bisley which is the pinnacle of all competitions for shooters.”

McNaught said she was really looking forward to the trip to America as this was the first time  she had been selected on a national team.