The stage is set for another fierce showdown at the Knolford Ranch in Bog Walk, St. Catherine, where defending champions Chad Ziadie and Aliana McMaster will attempt to protect their crowns at the third staging of the Matrix Sporting Clay Competition on Sunday, May 17.
With a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start scheduled, the event is expected to draw many of the island’s most accomplished sporting clay shooters to a venue that has historically brought success to both title holders.
Deep field of national talent promises intense contest
Retaining the titles will be no easy task.
A stacked field featuring several of Jamaica’s premier shotgun competitors is expected to produce one of the toughest editions of the tournament yet. Among the headline contenders are nine-time national shotgun champion Ian Banks, seven-time national champion Shaun Barnes, and four-time national champion Christian Sasso, who captured the Matrix title in 2024.
Also expected to challenge strongly are Ray McMaster and Roman Tavares-Finson, alongside a growing crop of talented marksmen who continue to elevate the standard of the sport locally.
The women’s competition is also shaping up to be highly competitive. Wendy McMaster, Lori-Anne Harris, Toni Barnes, and Marguerite Harris are among the leading contenders expected to push defending champion Aliana McMaster throughout the day.
Seventeen stations designed to test every skill
Competitors across Classes A through E, along with Hunters or Beginners, Juniors, Sub-Juniors, and Ladies divisions, will tackle a demanding 17-station driving course designed to challenge precision, timing, and adaptability.
Shooters will face a wide variety of targets throughout the course, including true pairs, birds launched simultaneously, along with rabbits skimming across the ground and airborne targets released at changing speeds, trajectories, and angles.
For many participants, the competition is about more than trophies. Strong performances could also lead to promotion into more advanced shooting classes.
Matrix Foundation continues commitment to community development
While the competition itself promises excitement, the event’s organizers continue to emphasize its charitable purpose.
The three-year-old Matrix Foundation has made community outreach a central pillar of its mission, particularly through its support of Good Hope Primary School in Old Harbour, St. Catherine.
One of the Foundation’s earliest and most impactful projects addressed the school’s longstanding water challenges. The organization financed and installed additional water tanks while also outfitting the main building with guttering systems to support rainwater harvesting.
The improvements significantly transformed daily operations at the institution.
“As a direct result of these improvements, the school has not had to close due to water shortages since the upgrades were completed,” organizers noted, adding that the project created “a more stable and reliable environment for the school community.”
Following the success of the water initiative, the Foundation also renovated the school’s bathroom facilities to improve sanitation and comfort for both students and staff.
Charitable reach expands in 2026
This year, the Matrix Foundation plans to broaden its charitable efforts by supporting organizations such as Food For The Poor and the Jamaica Cancer Society, particularly in initiatives connected to breast cancer awareness and assistance programs.
Corporate backing for the event remains strong. The Matrix Group of Companies serves as title sponsor, while Mayberry Investments, Valumart, and Andy Gone Nuts are listed among the major supporting sponsors.
