2022 Jackaroos UK Tour: Pre-Event
‘Twisty’s Travels’
Rattle the memory bank back to the World Bowls Challenge, held 29th/30th November 2019. This was the last time we saw an Australian represent the Jackaroos in a capped event, and the last of our international lawn bowls appearances before the COVID outbreak heavily hit our great sport. Fast forward 883 days and our country’s best are back in the green and gold to take on the world.
Despite flight delays and lost bags; our Jackaroos, Para Jackaroos, and VI Jackaroos have now arrived in Birmingham via Darwin and London for the 2022 UK Tour. Our final selection piece for the sport’s Blue Ribbon Event; the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, just 83 days away.
The 53 strong player contingent kicks off the Tour with both in-house and local competition play, before the first Test Match series on May 6th.
The schedule of the Tour is as follows:
- 6th – 8th May (BST): Australia vs England; Malaysia; and Wales
- 11th – 13th May (BST): Australia vs Scotland; and Ireland.
We are all very excited to be in the UK representing Australia and putting our best foot forward towards further selection. To pull on the green and gold is a great honour and very exciting, particularly for our debutantes; Carl Healey (Open Men’s), Cody Packer (Open Men’s), Mathew Lucas (Open Men’s), Kylie Whitehead (Open Women’s), Jamie-Lee Worsnop (Open Women’s), Damien Delgado (Para), Alison Meakin (Para), Fred McConnell (VI) (Director – Graham Border), and Helen Boardman (VI) (Director – Peter Doherty).
Preparation for the 2022 Games has been at the forefront of our minds, dating back to the UK Development Tour in 2018. More recently, squad members have been sourcing ‘slow’ UK style greens back home over the past months, preparing for the UK conditions as best as possible. This included a squad camp in March at Tamborine Mountain on the Gold Coast, the venue for the upcoming Trans-Transman series. The next 14 days will serve as valuable ‘on-green’ time for our Jackaroos in their quest for Gold in the formidable Northern Hemisphere.
Australian Head Coach Gary Willis is excited for the Tour ahead and the challenges that follow.
“After nearly two years of no International competition due to COVID it is very exciting to see our Jackaroos finally back together and preparing for what will be an amazing series of a test matches vs some of the powerhouse Nations in World Bowls.
It will be fantastic to finally see and catch up with many of our international friends.
This is such an important tour in our preparation for the Commonwealth Games, proving a huge opportunity for our Open and Para squads, having access and time on the Royal Leamington Spa greens is essential for our team and our goals.”
Gary Willis, Australian Head Coach
Multiple State and National champion Carl Healy, has recently earned a call up into the Jackaroos Squad. This is what he had to say ahead of his international debut.
“Being selected and representing Australia is a dream come true. It really is exciting times for not only me but the whole Jackaroos squad.
The UK Tour is a fantastic opportunity to showcase my abilities on a very different surface, and give myself the best chance for Commonwealth Games selection.
I have been undertaking serious training sessions in preparation to give myself the best chance of performance. The support I’ve had from friends, family and team members makes the journey even better!”.
Carl Healey, Jackaroo Debutant
Our St Johns Park representatives for the Tour will be Dawn Hayman, and yours truly; both part of the Open Squads. Dawn will be out to continue her stunning recent form, just last month becoming the first ever women to win the NSW Open State Grade 1 Pennant as part of our Saints team.
We hope for a safe and successful two weeks to all countries competing. Stay tuned to the Bowls Australia social medias for results, and our Saints Bowls Facebook page, Website and Team App for updates of the Tour.
Twisty
