The Trident Story

In the heart of Gauteng, five seasoned defensive sport shooters—Francois Henning, Francois Jones, Francois Swanepoel, Harry Kotze, and MJ Jacobs—shared a dream. They were veterans of countless SADPA matches, each with a deep respect for the sport and a drive to grow its community.

One late afternoon, after a spirited match, the five gathered for a post-shoot braai. The conversation turned to their shared frustrations: the lack of defensive-focused local clubs that emphasized skill-building and camaraderie.

Francois Henning, the strategist of the group, leaned forward and said, “Why don’t we start our own club? Something that reflects who we are—a place for shooters, by shooters.”

Harry Kotze grinned, “But what would we call it?”

MJ Jacobs, known for his sharp wit, responded, “Trident. Three prongs: skill, safety, and sportsmanship. It’s strong, focused, and sharp—just like us.”

The name stuck, and the dream took shape. Over the next month, they pooled their expertise—Francois and Harry designed challenging courses, MJ focused on safety protocols, and the two other Francois’ handled logistics and community outreach.

Their first event drew shooters from across Gauteng, eager to join this new vision. Trident quickly earned a reputation for its well-run matches, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to elevating defensive shooting.

Today, Trident stands as a testament to their passion, uniting shooters across South Africa and proving that great things happen when vision meets action