The Australian Jackaroos have called England home for the past 14 days; practicing, acclimatising, and preparing as best we can. Our opening matches are now less than 5 days away, with official practice already underway on the Royal Leamington Spa greens.

However, preparation has not come without the usual interruptions in which touring brings. The team and staff have had regular PCR tests in compliance with the Commonwealth Games Australia COVID safe policy. Unfortunately, I tested positive last week.

So, what does this mean? A few days ago the team headed into the Athlete’s Village, but I will stay at our current accommodation isolating until I am no longer infectious. Luckily no one else has tested positive, fingers crossed it stays that way. At this stage it looks promising that I will be able to have a couple of days practice before we commence our Triples Round 1 on the morning of the 29^th. However, it depends on how quickly I can recover and become non-infectious. There are no guarantees.

My positive test is certainly a curve ball, but it is something that we knew was a possibility of happening at some stage. Our Bowls Australia staff and the Commonwealth Games Australia Management are giving all the support I need to recover and get back out on the green, they’ve been brilliant. I am feeling crook, but the symptoms aren’t too bad. My journey to make it here to England for the Commonwealth Games has been a very windy road over the years, so this final twist is one last challenge to overcome. I’m confident that this won’t affect my play or our team’s chances of success.

Otherwise, it is all very exciting and the start of play is only around the corner. The Opening Ceremony will be held on the 28^th July, but the Jackaroos have made the tough decision to not attend. For two reasons; the COVID situation and secondly, we have a number of fixtures the next day (the Opening Ceremony is a 2-hour drive from our Village, and will be a long night with a late finish). As a Commonwealth Games debutant, I am disappointed to not attend; as a kid you grow up watching athletes walk out into stadiums to represent their country at various benchmark events, and I’ve always wanted to experience the pride of that moment. However, we feel the risks are too high, and our main job is to stay fit and healthy to contest for medals. As a team we will have our own Opening Ceremony back at the village, which will be special in its own right. I’ll be sure to post some photos on our St Johns Park Bowls Facebook page.

Despite sitting on my hotel bed with a sniffily nose feeling a bit sorry for myself; the excitement that we will be out of the green in less than a week is overwhelming. It doesn’t get any better than representing your country in your chosen sport on the biggest stage. Thanks for all the messages of support from back home, we will endeavour to do you proud.

The full draw can be found here.

Cheers, Twisty.

Once again, the world’s biggest and best bowls carnival is upon us. This year’s instalment of the Australian Open will be the largest in the events 16-year history, over 1500 bowlers from around the world come together across 18 Gold Coast clubs. Amongst these will be a large contingent of Saints members, testing their luck for one of the most prestigious titles on the calendar. At the conclusion of play each day, we will be keeping you up to date on how our Saints a faring via our ‘Saints Bowls’ Facebook page.

Below is a list of our Saints players in each event:

Men’s Singles

• Mark Bell (Saturday 11th at Mermaid Beach)
• Cameron Cooper (Saturday 11th at Nerang)
• David Morris (Saturday 11th at Coolangatta)
• Wayne Seckold (Sunday 12th at Broadbeach)
• Thomas Webb (Sunday 12th at Mermaid Beach)
• Gerard Short (Sunday 12th at Coolangatta)
• Ashley Mitchell (Monday 13th at Musgrave Hill)
• Ben Twist (Monday 13th at Mermaid Beach)
• David Ferguson (Monday 13th at Burleigh)

Men’s Pairs

• Ben Twist (playing with Aaron Wilson, Tuesday 14th at Helensvale)
• Guye McPherson and Stephen McPherson (Tuesday 14th at Paradise Point)
• Alistair Connell and Trent Craigie (Tuesday 14th at Mudgeeraba)
• Thomas Webb (playing with Peter Thelan, Tuesday 14th at Mudgeeraba)
• Flurr Ballard and David Morris (Tuesday 14th at Southport)
• Mark Bell playing with Ross Craig (Balmain) (Tuesday 14th at Helensvale)
• David Ferguson (playing with Gary Kelly, Wednesday 15th at Mudgeeraba)
• Cameron Cooper and Ashley Mitchell (Wednesday 15th at Mudgeeraba)

Men’s Fours

• Alistair Connell, Wayne Seckold, Gerard Short, and Trent Craigie (Thursday 16th at Robina)
• Ben Twist and David Ferguson (playing with Ray Pearse and Aaron Hewson, Thursday 16th at Paradise Point)
• Guye McPherson, Stephen McPherson, and Thomas Webb (playing with P.Thelan, Thursday at Southport)
• Cameron Cooper and Ashely Mitchell (playing with A.Severs, and G.Perrin, Thursday 16th at Paradise Point)
• Craig Donaldson (playing with C.Wallace, D.Kurran, C.Adams, Thursday 16th at Nerang)
• Flurr Ballard and David Morris (playing with M.Blackman and N.Walkden, Thursday 16th at Mudgeeraba)

Men’s Over 60’s Pairs

• Wayne Seckold and Gerard Short (Tuesday 21st at Helensvale)

Boy’s Under 18 Singles

• Brendan Ford (Wednesday 22nd June, at Paradise Point)

Ladies Singles

• Joelen Bianchetto (Wednesday 15th at Broadbeach)
• Brianna Smith (Wednesday 15th at Broadbeach)
• Lorraine Peel (Wednesday 15th at Helensvale)
• Donna McCormick (Wednesday 15th at Robina)
• Lauretta Marchese (Wednesday 15th at Coolangatta)
• Dawn Hayman (Wednesday 15th at Burleigh)
• Michelle Smith (Wednesday 15th at Mermaid Beach)
• Edwina Bohannon (Wednesday 15th at Mermaid Beach)

Ladies Pairs

• Gina Maniaci and Michelle Smith (Monday 13th at Paradise Point)
• Lauretta Marchese (playing with G.Wallace, Monday 13th at Paradise Point)
• Brianna Smith (playing with E.Spicer, Tuesday 14th at Robina)
• Dawn Hayman (playing with J.Worsnop, Monday 13th at Robina)

Ladies Fours

• Brianna Smith (playing with E.Ryan, K.Kristic, and E.Falkner, Friday 17th at Broadbeach)
• Irene McBride, Elaine Field, Joelen Bianchetto (playing with J.Robinson, Friday 17th at Broadbeach)
• Gina Maniaci, Lorraine Peel, Michelle Smith, Edwina Bohannon (Friday 17th at Mudgeerba)
• Dawn Hayman (playing with J.Worsnop, G.Delves, N.Van Eldik, Friday 17th at Mudgeeraba)
• Maryann Parcell (playing with S.Greenwood, S.Stewart, Z.Stewart, Friday 17th at Coolangatta)

Ladies Over 60’s Pairs

• Lauretta Marchese (playing with G.Wallace, Tuesday 21st at Mudgeeraba)
• Irene McBride and Elaine Field (Tuesday 21st at Paradise Point)
• Jackie Short and Maryann Parcell (Tuesday 21st at Tugun)
• Lorraine Peel and Edwina Bohannon (Tuesday 21st at Musgrave Hill)

Click here for the AO Events page: https://australianopen.bowls.com.au/

The Australian team for both the 2022 Trans-Tasman and 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games have now been released.

Men’s Team:

• Carl Healey
• Barrie Lester
• Ben Twist
• Corey Wedlock
• Aaron Wilson

Women’s Team:

• Lynsey Clarke
• Kristina Kristic
• Ellen Ryan
• Rebecca Van Asch
• Natasha Van Eldik

Men’s Para Team:

• Chris Flavel
• Damien Delgado

Women’s Para Team:

• Serena Bonnell
• Cheryl Lindfield

Vision Impaired Team:

• Helen Boardman (Director: Peter Doherty)
• Jake Fehlberg (Director: Grant Fehlberg)

Congratulations to all those selected.

After hearing of my selection for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, “Over the moon” doesn’t quite sum it up. Knowing that I’m heading over to the UK to fulfill a lifelong dream and represent my country is a very proud moment. It sounds a bit cliché; but it is a dream come true.

Over 18 years ago, my father introduced me to the sport of Lawn Bowls. It was not a special day yet, this turned out to define my employment career, residency, and much of my life. Playing in a Commonwealth Games always remained at the top of the list of goals for the entirety of those 18 years. The Jackaroos Squad and High-Performance Staff have known of the selected teams for a little while now, so it’s very exciting for this news to be public today.

So, what’s next?
The team will play the Trans-Tasman against New Zealand, starting tomorrow Saturday 4^th June to Monday 6^th June at Club Tamborine.  

Preparations have been ongoing for the past few months, including the past two days training at Club Tamborine. Tomorrow the Trans-Tasman will kick at 9am, with disciplines and formats mirroring that of the Commonwealth Games. Following an extended Squad Camp at Club Tamborine in May, the Gold Coast club will now have the honour to host the annual Australia vs New Zealand clash. They have been working very closely with Bowls Australia to replicate the Leamington Spa Greens (the host club for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games). Trust me, this is no easy feat.

“The Trans-Tasman is a huge event and to be able to host it is an incredible honour for our club. All our staff and members have been excited and really working hard to ensure we give our best over the next 3 days. The greens have had major renovations to match the UK conditions, and we really hope that everyone who comes up and plays gets something out of them leading into the Commonwealth Games.”

Damien Bartlett: Club Tamborine Greenkeeper

Preparations will continue for our Jackaroos over the coming 6 weeks until the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Bowls will kick off on 24^th of July and conclude on the 6^th of August. Channel 7 and 7Plus will cover the event.

Go Aussies!

Bowls Premier League (BPL15)

It’s great to be back at Club Pine Rivers for the 15^th instalment of the Bowls Premier League. I always love coming back to Club Pine Rivers where 18 years ago, I started my bowls career. The spiritual home of the BPL; there is no event quite like it.

I’m very happy to once again join the Sydney Lions alongside Aaron Wilson, Karen Murphy and Coach Steve Glasson. Hoping we can go back-to-back after our win in BPL14 at Moama in February.

This event sees some player movement amongst teams:

• Aron Sherriff joins the Murray Steamers.
• Jo Edwards MNZM returns to the BPL for the Brisbane Pirates.
• Shannon Mcllroy joins the Gold Coast Hawks.
• and Kristina Kristic returns to the Perth Suns.

As always it will be a very closely contested BPL. However, if I had to pick a favourite it would be the Murray Steamers; the inclusion of 4 time winner Aron Sherriff into the team changes their dynamic and I think they will be there at the pointy end of the competition. He joins two of the best; our St Johns Park Pennant Marquee Ryan Bester and Jackaroo Natasha Van Eldik.

I caught up with Ryan Bester earlier today and this is what he had to say:

“It’s amazing to have Aron Sherriff join the Murray Steamers for BPL15. He is a 4-time MVP of the event, I’m very happy to be playing with him rather than against. We are now clubmates at Broadbeach Bowling Club and are great friends. Combined with Natasha Van Eldik; I’m surrounded by class. It’s a big year ahead for me; including the Commonwealth Games later in the year and the birth of my child expected on the 11^th June. Thank you to my St Johns clubmates for their ongoing support, I look forward to getting back in St Johns colours soon. My two favourites for the BPL15 are Tweed and Sydney.”

– Ryan Bester, Murray Steamers.

Another team to watch out for will be the Perth Suns, after two strong wins in the opening rounds. St Johns Park’s Dawn Hayman will once again don the Perth’s tradition orange strip alongside Jackaroos Cody Packer and Kristina Kristic. A darkhorse and ones to watch.  

My predictions for the top 5 are:

• Murray Steamers
• Brisbane Pirates
• Adelaide Pioneers
• Perth Suns
• Sydney Lions

For those wishing to catch the action; Foxtel, Sky Sports NZ, and Kayo will be showing live games from 4pm AEST Tuesday 24^th May to Friday 27^th May. Bowls Australia will also be livestreaming a game each round on their Facebook page.

Click here for full draws, teams, and results:
https://www.bowls.com.au/events-page/national-events/bowls-premier-league/  

The team has now arrived home in their ports of origin and the jet lag is starting to wear off. The two-week long tour gave the Jackaroos valuable insight into the Royal Leamington Spa greens ahead of the upcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games. The tour also doubled as our final selection trials for the team.  

It wasn’t a great start to the tour with our bags not arriving in London when we landed. Delays and weight restrictions meant that as we travelled across the world; our bags remained in Darwin. Our contingent waited between 3 and 8 days for their bags to arrive, nevertheless we made do as best we could in the lead up to the first Multi Nations between Australia, England, Wales, and Malaysia. Some inhouse games and a friendly against the local Royal Leamington Spa club members helped us adjust to the conditions.

The squad that toured consisted of 10 open men, 10 open women, 7 para, and 3 Vision Impaired (this included 12 debutants). The first Multi-Nations was a strong close-fought series, with our Jackaroos performing strongly; winning the majority of tests across the Open, Para, and VI disciplines.

Our second and final Multi-Nations Event for the Tour was between Australia, Scotland, and Ireland. Once again this was a hard-fought series, but our Aussies managed to again win the majority of tests. Results for all matches can be found on the Bowls Australia Website and Facebook. 

After being lucky enough to tour with the Australian team in the 2018 and 2019 UK Tours (pre-COVID19); I can say that this was our most beneficial tour to date. The greens, style of play, and general conditions are most definitely out of our comfort zone. However, I’m confident that no matter the team selected for the Commonwealth Games we will have had ample preparation.  

The squads for the 2022 Birmingham Games will be announced around the 30^th May, with the team to travel mid-July, and the Games scheduled for the 28^th July to 8^th August.  

‘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