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Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Spinal Cord Injuries
Origin of Impairment
Acquired
Classification
SH1
Further personal information
Family
Husband Stuart, son Daniel [2014]
Occupation
Athlete
Languages
English
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
She began shooting in 2010 at the Belmont Shooting Complex in Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Why this sport?
She visited a shooting range for fun and found she was good at it. Within a year, she was in Australia's shadow Paralympic squad. "It was a time where I was struggling to find things to do that felt normal after my accident. It gave me more of a sense of control over everything I was doing."
Training Regime
She trains at the Belmont Shooting Complex in Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
International debut
Year
2011
Competing for
Australia
Location
London, ENG
General interest
Nicknames
Nat (Queensland Target Sports Facebook page, 19 Feb 2019)
Injuries
In 2019 she sustained a shoulder injury while visiting Hanover, Germany. (Facebook page, 24 Aug 2019)
In April 2014, she underwent hip surgery immediately following the birth of her son Daniel by caesarean section. She quickly returned to competition but suffered several infections and was forced to undergo further surgeries, which resulted in her missing the July 2014 World Championships in Suhl, Germany. (shootingaustralia.org, 27 Aug 2020)
In April 2014, she underwent hip surgery immediately following the birth of her son Daniel by caesarean section. She quickly returned to competition but suffered several infections and was forced to undergo further surgeries, which resulted in her missing the July 2014 World Championships in Suhl, Germany. (shootingaustralia.org, 27 Aug 2020)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Instead of looking at the hundred-thousand reasons to quit, look at the thousand reasons not to give up." (nataliesmith.com.au, 21 May 2017)
Awards and honours
In 2012, 2013 and 2016 she was named Para Shooter of the Year by Shooting Australia. She also received the 2015 Elite Para Athlete of the Year award from Shooting Australia. (shootingaustralia.org, 2018)
Other sports
She competed in equestrian at state level in Australia before she sustained her impairment. She has also competed in Para archery at national level, finishing runner-up at the Australian national championships in 2021. (Facebook page, 03 Apr 2021; nataliesmith.com.au, 21 May 2017)
Famous relatives
Her grandfather Norman Lutz was selected to represent Australia in shooting at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. However, a heart attack prevented him from participating. (nataliesmith.com.au, 21 May 2017; couriermail.com.au, 03 Mar 2016)
Ambitions
To compete at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (Facebook page, 26 Sep 2018)
Impairment
She has paraplegia as the result of a hiking accident in 2009. She slipped off a rock while on a tourist walk in Northern Territory, Australia. (nataliesmith.com.au, 21 May 2017)
Other information
FAMILY
In April 2014 she gave birth to her son Daniel after being told that the chances of her ever having children naturally were low because of her impairment. "I said to my friends and family that I wouldn't believe I was pregnant until I actually gave birth." (shootingaustralia.org, 27 Aug 2020; matermothers.org.au, 10 Apr 2014)
FORMER OCCUPATION
Before her accident she worked as a theatre nurse for eight years at the Northern Hospital in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. (couriermail.com.au, 03 Mar 2016)
In April 2014 she gave birth to her son Daniel after being told that the chances of her ever having children naturally were low because of her impairment. "I said to my friends and family that I wouldn't believe I was pregnant until I actually gave birth." (shootingaustralia.org, 27 Aug 2020; matermothers.org.au, 10 Apr 2014)
FORMER OCCUPATION
Before her accident she worked as a theatre nurse for eight years at the Northern Hospital in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. (couriermail.com.au, 03 Mar 2016)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R2 - Women's 10 m Air Rifle Standing SH1 | Qualification | 2012-08-30 | 4 | |
| R2 - Women's 10 m Air Rifle Standing SH1 | Final Round | 2012-08-30 | 3 | |
| R3 - Mixed 10 m Air Rifle Prone SH1 | Qualification | 2012-09-01 | 22 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R2 - Women's 10 m Air Rifle Standing SH1 | Qualification | 2016-09-08 | 7 | |
| R2 - Women's 10 m Air Rifle Standing SH1 | Final Round | 2016-09-08 | 5 | |
| R3 - Mixed 10 m Air Rifle Prone SH1 | Qualification | 2016-09-10 | 31 | |
| R8 - Women's 50 m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 | Final Round | 2016-09-13 | 8 | |
| R8 - Women's 50 m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 | Qualification | 2016-09-13 | 8 | |
| R6 - Mixed 50 m Rifle Prone SH1 | Qualification | 2016-09-14 | 24 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R2 - Women's 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 | Qualification | 2018-05-05 | 10 | |
| R3 - Mixed 10m Air Rifle prone SH1 | Qualification | 2018-05-05 | 13 | |
| Team R3 - Mixed 10m Air Rifle prone SH1 | Qualification | 2018-05-05 | 2 |