Jackaroos & Blackjacks poised for Trans Tasman tussle
The Australian Jackaroos and New Zealand Blackjacks’ preparations for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will shift up a gear this week, with the two teams set to clash at the 2017 Trans Tasman Test Series on the Broadbeach greens from Wednesday. (Story from Bowls Australia)
The Australian Jackaroos and New Zealand Blackjacks’ preparations for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will shift up a gear this week, with the two teams set to clash at the 2017 Trans Tasman Test Series on the Broadbeach greens from Wednesday.
With just 309 days until the delivery of the first bowl at GC2018, this year’s Trans Tasman competition boasts added impetus, with selectors set to cast a keen eye over the entire field, which features development and para-sport teams in addition to the open categories for men and women.
Twelve Jackaroos players will be rotated through the ten playing positions in the open men’s and women’s teams, providing a greater opportunity to determine the optimal combination for next year’s pinnacle event.
Nine members of last year’s acclaimed World Bowls Championships team will feature, in addition to Australian Captain Lynsey Clarke, 2012 world champion Wayne Ruediger and his South Australian compatriot Scott Thulborn, the reigning world champion of champion titleholder.
The nine members of Australia’s most successful World Bowls Championships abroad include Kelsey Cottrell, Carla Krizanic, Karen Murphy, Natasha Scott, Rebecca Van Asch, Barrie Lester, Aron Sherriff, Brett Wilkie and Aaron Wilson, with Mark Casey the only notable omission due to his international retirement.
The green and gold contingent pillaged five of the six coveted trophies from across the ditch at the last staging of the event in March 2016, winning the Open Men’s Series, Overall Open Trophy, Development Women’s Series, Development Men’s Series and the Overall Development Trophy, while New Zealand secured the Open Women’s Series honour.
There won’t be any respite for either nation following the Trans Tasman however, with both teams set to compete at the 2017 Gold Coast Multi-Nations event from June 3.
The Multi-Nations event will feature two Australian teams in action, as well as Scotland, New Zealand, Malaysia, Hong Kong China, Wales and Canada, from June 3 to 7, in addition to an international para-sport component from June 4 to 7.
Bowls Australia acknowledges the assistance and funding provided by the Commonwealth Games Australia to Bowls Australia for athletes in the “Gold Coast GOLD” 2018 program.
The Gold Coast GOLD program was devised by the CGA to maximise podium performances at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and assist athletes who are expected to be nominated for selection to the 2018 Australian Team. ‘
The 2017 Trans Tasman will be staged at Broadbeach Bowls Club from May 31 to June 2.
The schedule of play and team listings for the 2017 Trans Tasman can be found below.
Schedule of play:
Time Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
9.00 – 11.30
Pairs and Triples
Singles and Fours
Pairs and Triples
12.30 – 15.00
Singles and Fours
Pairs and Triples
Singles and Fours
15.45 – 18.15
Pairs and Triples
Singles and Fours
Pairs and Triples
Teams:
Jackaroos
Development
Para-sport Team
Men
Women
Men
Women
Men/Women
Barrie Lester
Lynsey Clarke
Jonathon Davis
Kristina Krstic
Joshua Barry
Wayne Ruediger
Kelsey Cottrell
Nathan Pedersen
Kate Matthews
Tony Bonnell
Aron Sherriff
Carla Krizanic
Lachlan Sims
Bolivia Millerick
Eddie Gollan
Scott Thulborn
Karen Murphy
Aaron Teys
Ellen Ryan
Ken Hanson
Brett Wilkie
Natasha Scott
Corey Wedlock
Jessica Srisamruaybai
Chris Flavel
Aaron Wilson
Rebecca Van Asch
James Reynolds
Joshua Thornton
Blackjacks
Development
Parasport Team
Men
Women
Men
Women
Men/Women
Shannon McIlroy
Jo Edwards
Finbar McGuigan
Ashleigh Jeffcoat
Partially sighted pairs:
Ali Forsyth
Val Smith
Aiden Takarua
Natasha Russell
David Stallard -Peter Blick – Director
Tony Grantham
Selina Goddard
Richard Hocking
Kimberley Hemingway
Sue Curran – Lead, Ann Muir -Director
Mike Kernaghan
Tayla Bruce
Sheldon Bagrie-Howley
Sarah Scott
Disabled Triples:
Blake Signal
Kirsten Edwards
Seamus Curtin
Nicole Toomey
Mark Noble
Mike Nagy
Angela Boyd
Graham Skellern
Paul Girdler
Katelyn Inch
Carolyn Crawford
