Edwards says time to quit
BOWLS
WELLINGTON: Jo Edwards was sitting in Auckland traffic last week when she made the biggest decision of her 20year international career.
The New Zealand bowls great was heading across town when the penny dropped.
‘‘I was sitting at the traffic lights and I thought ‘I'm done’. I almost said it out loud. That was the moment when I knew, yup, it's time,’’ she said.
Edwards had been pondering retirement for the last six months, ‘‘not that seriously though’’, but those thoughts began to solidify earlier this month.
‘‘People have always told me ‘you know when you know' and that is definitely true,’’ Edwards said.
‘‘It's always going to be hard and there is a definite sadness, but I also feel happy. It's been 23 years — nearly half my life and this is perfect timing.’’
The 50yearold admits the unexpected Covid19 chaos, which took her away from the greens for nearly eight months, helped to crystallise her thinking.
‘‘The [2020] World Championships event was always an aim,’’ she said.
‘‘But it didn't go ahead this year and who knows about 2021? But I also wanted to give Bowls New Zealand time to put together new teams and I knew if I wasn't fully committed then it wasn't going to work.’’
Edwards has won a record 646 caps for the Black Jacks, five World Championship medals (two gold), three Commonwealth Games triumphs and an unprecedented six World Cup singles crowns. — RNZ