Darling Downs bowler proud of USQ role
UNI GAMES: USQ student Crystal Hollis-Neath described being chosen to lead the university team at this year’s Australian Uni Games as one of the proudest moments of her life.
Fifty-five USQ student-athletes from Toowoomba, Ipswich, Springfield and online will represent the university on the Gold Coast from September 24-29.
Hollis-Neath will roll out for the USQ lawn bowls team, and said it was an honour to be named co-captain alongside Christopher Watson.
“This will be the fourth time I have represented USQ since I started as a student in 2015 and my second time competing at the Australian Uni Games,” she said.
“Some of my favourite university memories were made at the Uni Games and to be named co-captain is an amazing honour and something I am very grateful to have received.
“I take a lot of pride in wearing the USQ uniform and as soon as I get on the green, I will be giving it my best shot.”
The Nobby resident
discovered her interest for bowls when her grandfather Eugene used to take her to play every Wednesday night.
She previously won gold and silver medals with the USQ lawn bowls team at the Northern Uni Games, but is still chasing her first medal at national level.
It’s a bitter-sweet experience for the third year business student with next week’s competition set to be the final time she will don the gold phoenix-emblazoned
uniform for USQ.
“This will probably be my last Uni Games as I will be graduating next year so I want to make sure I go out with a bang,” she said.
“A lot of people presume bowls is laid-back sport and that everyone is relaxed and chilled, but it is very competitive.
“I’m pretty confident we will do well this year. Our aim is to win a medal, which would be a good way for me to cap off my last time
representing USQ.”
About 7500 students head to the Gold Coast for the event, which will see USQ field teams in athletics, beach volleyball, cheer and dance, golf, judo, lawn bowls, hockey and volleyball.
“The team spirit is what makes it (Uni Games) so enjoyable,” she said. “Because I study externally most of the time, the Uni Games has been a great way for me to meet new friends and do something fun during the holidays.”