What does it take to be a Champion?
Stephanie Retchless caught up with Chloe Stewart to find out how, at the tender age of 23, Chloe has achieved so much in the world of bowls.
The Gold Coast-Tweed District Ladies Association (GCTDLBA) has added a new page to their history books. For one player to win
all three club championships (singles, pairs and fours) is rare, but coupled with winning every Champion of Champion GCTDLBA
event for the same disciplines? That’s extraordinary. No one in living memory has achieved such a feat until now. Enter Chloe Stewart
from Tweed Heads Bowls Club. Chloe is an example of what it takes to become a champion, both on and off the bowling green.
Poet John Donne wrote that no man is an island entire of itself and Chloe is no exception. Partnered with Jessica Srisamruaybai for the pairs and with Jade Clarke, Kira Bourke and Claire Turley in the fours, the teams are through to the state playoffs (October, 26-31) for the fours.
I asked Chloe why she started in bowls. Her answers were sweet.
“I was brought up in a family that respects family, specifically my Nan Val and as Nan played lawn bowls, and I loved spending time with her, I would go along to the club to pick up a bowl or two”.
“The ladies at the club would give me money to play the chocolate machine and bought me pink lemonade”.
Where to from here for Chloe?
“My immediate goals are to a) continue playing for Australia at the top level, b) consistently remain in Australia’s top five rankings, and c) achieve selection for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
I have known Chloe for a number of years and some champions can be arrogant, self-centred and ‘lofty’ in their manner. This is not true of Chloe. She exhibits all the traits that exemplify the qualities of a champion. Softly spoken, modest, humble (well at times we can all laud our own accomplishments!) and a very focused athlete.
To add to her long bow of achievements, Chloe is listed as
number five in Australia and number one in her residential state
of Queensland in the National/State rankings list August, 31 2019. While Chloe enjoys living in Queensland, she hails from Victoria and is proud of her birth state.
In the upcoming Marquee International Events, the Trans-Tasman Test Series (November, 25-27) and the Multi Nations (November, 18-24), Chloe will once again represent Australia in singles and pairs (with Kelsey Cottrell) in the test series and in the green team for
the Multi Nations. All games are being played on the Gold Coast at Broadbeach, Helensvale and Musgrave Hill.
Come on down to these events and watch the best that Australia can offer in the world of lawn bowls.