EXCITEMENT MOUNTS AS JACKAROOS READY TO ROLL
EXCITING times ahead as the Australian Jackaroos bowls team prepares for the XXI Commonwealth Games.
The team went into camp last Tuesday in Brisbane, where we trained at the Windsor Bowls Club on Wednesday and Thursday.
While at Windsor we invited some local junior bowlers to join in with our training and we then assisted the club with a working bee.
On Friday we made our way to the Village, where we were welcomed and inducted
by legendary swimmer Petria Thomas. We had our first taste of the Broadbeach greens on Friday night, which ran well considering the rain we have had. The venue looks amazing and all set to hold a memorable event.
Training continued at various times at Broadbeach over the weekend, including a great hitout against the Northern Ireland team.
With three of the Broadbeach greens closed for maintenance yesterday, the Aussie Open side travelled to Club Helensvale for training. This will also occur tomorrow, with more maintenance planned before the commencement of play on Thursday.
The whole Australian contingent was officially welcomed into the village yesterday. It was amazing to rub shoulders with athletes and support staff from the various sports. They all then made the journey to Star Casino for the official team reception with Commonwealth Games and government officials.
All disciplines commence playing on Thursday. Women’s Singles/Fours and Men’s Pairs/Triples will run until April 8 and 9, Women’s Pairs/Triples and Men’s Singles/Fours will commence on April 9 and end on April 12 and 13. The Vision Impaired Mixed Pairs will run from April 5 to 11, while the Athletes With a Disability Open Triples will run from April 5 until April 12.
The Jackaroos include the following Gold Coast-based players: Nathan Rice (Triples/Fours), Aron Sherriff (Triples/Fours), Jake & Grant Fehlberg (VI Mixed Pairs), Tony Bonnell (AWD Open triples), Kelsey Cottrell (Pairs/Fours) and I (Pairs/ Fours), with Kelvin Kerkow part of the coaching team.
Local bowlers Mark Casey, Rob Dobbins and I were fortunate to be baton bearers for the Queens Baton Relay. Kerkow and Julie Keagan will run today in Broadbeach and Anthony Fantini tomorrow in Main Beach. I must say this was an amazing experience.
Congratulations to DeeAnne Robertson and Sean Ingham, who defeated Gail Crompton and Phil Brandon to win the Gold Coast Tweed 2018 District State Mixed Pairs for a second year.