Juniors on State titles hunt

by admin on March 30, 2016

With eight state titles up for grabs in seven days, Queensland juniors have their chance at glory. Pictured, some of the juniors from last year’s State titles who went on to bigger and better things, representing their state at Australian U18 Championships.
State Juniors is about to get underway at Capalaba Bowls Club on Brisbane’s bay side (Sat April 2 – Fri April 8).

With eight state titles up for grabs in seven days, competition will be tight, with 240 entries over four disciplines.
Three reigning title-holders will be back for more, including girls singles champ Sophie Young on her home turf, and the triples and fours winners from 2015.
In the triples, brothers Kane and Jacob Nelson (skip) from Belmont Services will team up with Mitchell Mears from Algester to defend their title.
In the fours, skip Brittanny Wiley from Binjour will be back with the Flegler brothers Carl and Bradley from North Dalby and Shane Rideout from Biloela.
In an exciting development, Thursday Island will bring five juniors to the state titles for the first time, hot on the heels of a sparkling debut performance at Secondary Schools Cup at Pine Rivers in September last year.
For Sophie Young and Jacob Nelson, State Juniors 2015 was the start of a golden trajectory, with both high performers at State going on to win the national singles titles at the Australian Open at the Gold Coast, and later national team selection.
“State Juniors is always exciting because it’s a looking glass into the future of our sport,” BQ high performance coach Bill Cornehls said.
“Our Queensland juniors were brilliant at the Australian Under-18 Championships last year in Canberra, with every player bringing home at least one medal, and contributing to winning the three major trophies on offer, the boys and girls overall trophies, and champion state.
“With that in mind, we can expect some quality bowling at Capalaba.
“Also, there are plenty of new faces signed up, which is also exciting, for the promise of what is to come.”
It will be a busy time for Bill Cornehls, with State Juniors starting on Saturday April 2 while Cornehls is still away with the Queensland Open teams at Australian Sides.
Cornehls is hoping to be back in time to catch the fours and pairs finals on Monday April 4, and for some of the sectional play and finals of the triples and singles later in the week.
Most of the action will take place at Capalaba, with Manly Bowls Club assisting by hosting the U15 singles sectionals from 9am on Thursday April 7.
The tournament wraps up on Friday April 8 with the singles finals.