Excelling in such contrasting sports as Shooting Para sport and Para badminton may not appear a natural fit, but rising Para sport teenager Andrew Fairweather is proving he can perform internationally in both.
Earlier this year the 17-year-old made his maiden overseas appearance in Shooting Para sport, placing fourth in the R3 Mixed 10m Air Rifle SH1 at a Trans-Tasman competition in Brisbane.
However, his next sporting assignment will see a radical shift as Andrew swaps his rifle for a racquet as he takes to the court later this week for the Oceania Para Badminton Championships in Bendigo, Australia (16-19 October 2025).
Born with cerebral palsy, Cambridge-based Andrew tried a range of sports including football and rugby in his youth and has even dabbled with Para athletics, but after first tasting Para badminton aged 11 at the Halberg Games, he fell in love with the sport.
More recently that passion has been accelerated by a series of training camps set up by Badminton NZ and training twice a week he is now all set for his international debut in Bendigo.
“I love Para badminton, although it is hard to put my finger on why, I just enjoy it,” says Andrew who has been nationally classified as an SL4 for Para badminton, but will be internationally classified for the first time for that Para sport in Bendigo. “I’m looking forward to experiencing the Oceania Champs, and although I hope to go far, I really want to just experience proper tournament rules and conditions and meet people from other countries.”
Currently a Year 13 student at St John’s School in Hamilton, Andrew first tried Shooting Para sport at the age of 14 through a Parafed Waikato ‘Have a Go’ Session at Hamilton Pistol Club.
With a keen interest in hunting, the teenager immediately embraced the sport and was eager to see how he could improve.
Living with cerebral palsy, which impacts his movement down the right-hand side, presents its challenges. He fires the rifle with a sling in his left arm and rests both shoulders on the table as his right hand pulls the trigger.
Practising once a week he is fortunate to be guided by Dave Sheely, a member of intake two of the Para Sport Collective, supported by ACC, whom Andrew describes as “a legend.”
“Dave’s very patient and never questions me if I get tired. If I get frustrated, he is also able to calm me down and he’s introduced me to some cool breathing techniques.”
During the trip to Brisbane, he was also supported by Paralympian #236 Neelam O’Neill who advised Andrew on selecting the breathing technique as suggested by Dave and she has also offered some great advice on how to overcome competition nerves.
Training once a month at the Parafed Auckland Shooting Club in Mt Eden, he also comes into contact with three-time Paralympic medallist Paralympian #148 Michael Johnson MNZM, who has delved into his wealth of experience to help Andrew improve his grip on the trigger.
Benefiting from the wise words of his coach and a pair of Paralympians he says his competition in Brisbane was a personal highlight of his time in Shooting Para sport.
“I didn’t shoot my best score (in Brisbane), but something clicked in me that if I had a bad shot, I just moved on. Even though I was shaking with nerves, I realised it is fine to do one bad shot, I just need to refocus on the next shot.”
Para badminton and Shooting Para sport have given Andrew confidence, belief and a purpose, but does he have a favourite Para sport?
“That is hard to say, I enjoy them equally,” he says. “If pushed, I would lean towards Shooting Para sport. The people in Para badminton are very good, but it feels like there is more of a community in Shooting Para sport.”
Turning 18 next year Andrew has plenty of time to develop in both Para sports and he has set himself some ambitious targets for the future.
“My ultimate goal would be to represent New Zealand at a Paralympic Games in one or both Para sports,” he adds. “That would be the best. But at the moment it is all about being more consistent and building up more experience.”
