Bowler felt ‘sense of duty’
Val Smith felt duty-bound to play in the Summerset National Singles and Pairs, starting in Auckland today.
Several of her Australianbased Blackjack team-mates, including good friend Jo Edwards, aren’t making the trip across the Tasman for the upcoming event but Smith never considered skipping the nationals.
‘‘It’s always a good opportunity to play back home in New Zealand, plus the honour to play at the national tournament,’’ she said.
‘‘I’m a New Zealand international player and it’s the biggest national event we have so it’s a sense of duty to my position in the New Zealand team.’’
Smith also sees it as an opportunity to impress the new selectors and coaching team.
‘‘I’ve been in the New Zealand team since the beginning of time, but you can’t rest on your laurels, you’ve always got to put your name out there,’’ she said.
‘‘Even if you have a bad showing, I still think it’s important that you’re out there doing your thing.’’
With Edwards, the reigning national and Commonwealth Games women’s singles champion, not in Auckland, the field appears wide open. Smith made the singles semifinals in Dunedin at the start of this year before losing to Edwards but hasn’t played a lot of the individual discipline lately.
‘‘I enjoy playing singles but I don’t make it a major focus these days. I still enjoy it though. There’s something about being out there on your own doing your own thing."
Smith has also had far from the ideal build-up.
‘‘I haven’t had a fast green to train on at all because this time of year is when they renovate all of the greens in Sydney.
‘‘The greens will feel quick for me and it’s just about trusting them again."
Ashleigh Jeffcoat, 19, also made the semifinals of the singles at the start of this year and believes she has a point to prove in the event.
‘‘I’m looking to do what I did last year and be an underdog in the singles,’’ Jeffcoat said.
‘‘Looking to show everyone that I’m not just a pairs and fours player."