TPA HISTORY

The sport of competitive target pistol shooting in Australia has deep roots, beginning in Tasmania in 1928 before spreading to South Australia and, over time, to every State and Territory across the nation.

In 1956, the requirements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) prompted the formation of the Australian Shooting Association (ASA) – the national body that enabled the Australian Olympic Federation to field a shooting team for the Melbourne Olympic Games that same year.

That milestone year also marked the birth of Australia’s national pistol organisation. On 16 June 1956, the Amateur Pistol Shooting Union of Australia (APSUA) was inaugurated and affiliated with the ASA as the representative body for pistol events. This achievement was driven by the determination and teamwork of three dedicated pioneers – George Rogers (Victoria), Bob Morgan (Tasmania), and Fred Bott (South Australia) – whose vision and persistence laid the foundation for the sport we know today.

In 1991, APSUA evolved to become Pistol Australia (PA), and in 2024, took another step forward by adopting the trading name Target Pistol Australia (TPA) — reflecting a modern, unified, and forward-looking identity for our sport.

TPA TODAY

Today Target Pistol Australia (TPA) is the premier target pistol shooting organisation in Australia with the mandate through Shooting Australia to field pistol teams to the Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, ISSF World Championships, ISSF World Cups and other international target pistol shooting competitions such as the Oceania Shooting Federation Championships (OSF), CRM Action Pistol Bianchi Cup and International Metallic Silhouette Shooting Union (IMSSU) World Championships.

TPA currently has approximately 20,000 members in its State and Territory Associations, is a non-profit organisation and does not receive funding from the Federal Government.

TPA is responsible for conducting national championships in all ISSF pistol events, the TPA Black Powder events, the TPA Service Pistol events, the Bianchi events of Action Pistol, IMSSU Metallic Silhouette and WA1500 match events. Its members are represented through Shooting Australia (SA) to the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF), the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

STRUCTURE

Administration

TPA is administered within the confines of its Constitution and Regulations, which provide for a management team of five officers (President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Treasurer and the Secretary), who are assigned the responsibility of overseeing the day-to-day running of the organisation. The Sports Administrator also forms part of TPA Management. The TPA Constitution also provides for eight (8) Council Members, one representative from each State and Territory and together with Management form the National Council.

Our Three-Tiered Structure

Target Pistol Australia (TPA) is built on a strong three-tiered system – a connected network that supports every shooter, from grassroots clubs to the national stage. Each level plays an important role in keeping our sport thriving.

1. Clubs – The Heart of Our Sport

At the foundation are the local clubs spread across Australia. These are the heart and soul of TPA- where friendships are formed, skills are honed, and the love of target pistol shooting comes alive.
When someone joins a club, they’re not just signing up for a sport – they’re becoming part of a passionate, close-knit community. Clubs also play a key role in keeping members connected, sharing news, and communicating with their State or Territory Affiliate.

2. State & Territory Affiliates – The Connectors

Our State and Territory Affiliates oversee activities and competitions at their regional level, supporting clubs and ensuring the smooth flow of information between members and the national body. They work closely with clubs to keep everyone informed about both State and National initiatives.
If you’re a TPA member and have a question, your Club Secretary is your first point of contact. They can then connect you with your State Secretary or Administration Officer to make sure you get the right support.

Together, these three tiers form a strong and collaborative network that keeps the sport of target pistol shooting in Australia united, supported, and growing.

State/Territory Affiliates:

  • ACT Pistol Association (ACTPA)
  • NSW Amateur Pistol Association (NSWAPA)
  • Pistol Northern Territory (PNT)
  • Pistol Shooting Queensland (PSQ)
  • South Australian Revolver & Pistol Association (SARPA)
  • Tasmanian Pistol Association (TPA)
  • Victorian Amateur Pistol Association(VAPA)
  • West Australian Pistol Association (WAPA)

3. At the National level, TPA is responsible for:

  • Development of rules for the TPA Events (TPA Service Pistol, PA Service Pistol Unrestricted, TPA Service Pistol 25 Yard, TPA 25M Black Powder, TPA 50M Black Powder and TPA 13-shot Black Powder)
  • The accreditation and implementation of programs for;
    • Coaches at Club, Competition and National levels
    • Officials at Range Officer, Judge and National Judge levels
  • TPA National Championships
  • For pistol events, TPA is the conduit in Australia to international competition, World Championships, Oceania Shooting Federation Championships, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games through its affiliation with SA and the AOC.
  • The TPA Development Squad – under review in 2025.

TPA Standing Sub-committees

TPA has two standing sub-committees:

  • National Coaching Council (NCC). The NCC is responsible for the accreditation of pistol coaches and the development and implementation of coaching programs. – Under review and restructure currently and will be in place in 2026
  • National Referee Council (NRC). The NRC is responsible for the accreditation of Range Officers and Judges, and the development and implementation of rules for competitions.