I’ll always be Ty Jesberg from Longreach
You may have heard about Ty Jesberg from Longreach, twice co-winner of the Secondary School Cup, premier league player and more recently the U18 Boys’ Junior State Championship title in January this year (2021).
What you might not know, however, is how Ty and his family’s dedication to bowls has played an integral part of Ty’s success. Ty travels 12 hours each way from Longreach to Brisbane during events. For example, during the Premier League, Ty and his parents drove the mammoth distance to and from Brisbane every week.
The Bowler caught up with Ty to find out more about this dedicated Junior State Champion.
Bowler: You started playing bowls at the age of 8. What attracted you to bowls?
Ty: When I was young, my parents decided to try something new and join a local club. Because I was only eight-years-old, I had to tag along. This turned out to be the best decision ever on Mum and Dad’s behalf!
Playing bowls was something I had not done before and it was different to what kids my age were doing. For example while my friends were boxing or playing footy, here I was rolling up with people double (or more than double) my age.
Bowler: What’s your most memorable event/bowl/play to date?
Ty: When I am asked this question, I struggle to think of just one memorable moment because there have honestly been quite a few!
Like the feeling I had the moment I put my Kookaburras uniform on in 2019 and represented my State. I can just remember how proud my family, club, coach and friends were. Best feeling!
Oh, and the most recent memorable event to date would have to be winning the Junior State Single title this year.
How many hours a week do you bowl?
Ty: I have been attending coaching once a week for the past six years and for four of those years, twice a week. Plus with competition, premier league and social games, it all adds up. If you count the nights where I stay awake when travelling as well as playing carpet bowls at home for a bit of fun, without putting a number on it, let’s just say I spend many hours bowling but I’d love to bowl more!
Bowler: How many hours a week on average do you travel for bowls?
Ty: At the moment, for Premier League, my parents and I travel 12 hours down to Brisbane and 12 hours back. Every. Single. Week. We leave after school on a Friday, drive all night, play all weekend and drive home after games on the Sunday. This does not include the travel to events when we arrive in Brisbane, nor does it include any other competitions we travel from Longreach for throughout the year.
Bowler: How does your commuting time affect the other areas of your life, such as school, your family and friends?
Ty: I am lucky enough that my family, and occasionally my coach, will travel with me and support me throughout my competitions and events.
As for school, and friends, this can be hard. If I don’t keep on top of my studies while travelling, it is easy to fall behind but I can hold my head high and say I have a great support system! Teachers, friends, my sisters and parents all push me to do the best I can while I focus on my bowls career.
Bowler: What has been your biggest learning/ lesson from playing bowls so far?
Ty: Commitment and persistence in and/or to your game is something you learn to carry through every aspect of your life.
I’ve also learnt to be patient, have respect for others, to believe in myself and how to communicate well with others.
Bowler: Do you have bowls mates in Longreach or are most of them in Brisbane?
Ty: Bowls mates who I played juniors with at my club no longer play, so most of my bowls mates are in Brisbane.
Not too many young ones play bowls at my club, it’s a shame but it is just the way it is.
Bowler: Knowing what you now know about bowls, what would you tell any aspiring young bowler?
Ty: I’d tell them, “don’t judge a book by its cover!”. Bowls is in no way an “old people’s” sport. Get in and give it a go even if just for a good time and a laugh.
Bowler: Who would you most like to play against and beat?
Ty: Just because I don’t really know who I’d like to play against and beat, I’ll do a shout out to my good mates, Kane Nelson and Jake Rynne. They are some of the greatest players around my age. Although, any win is a good win!
Bowler: What are your future goals and dreams about bowls?
Ty: A dream I’ve had for a while now is to work hard and one day represent Australia. In the meantime I’ll keep working with my coach, play when and where I can and enjoy playing the sport that I love.
Bowler: Were you born in Longreach?
Ty: Yep! I was born and have grown up in Longreach. My family is here – parents, three sisters, one niece and six nephews. Longreach is my home. I’ll always be known as Ty Jesberg from Longreach.
Bowler: What school do you go to and what year level are you?
Ty: I attend Longreach State High School and I am in year 12. I graduate this year!
Bowler: Is bowls offered as an option at school?
Ty: No, it is not. However I did go to the Secondary Schools Cup.
Thanks to Ty and his family for talking with us and hopefully the family’s dedication and passion for bowls will encourage others to give it a go. Distance hasn’t stopped the Jesbergs from having a State Champion in their midst. In closing, Ty would like to thank his coach Ray Harmsworth for the hours and support for the past seven years to help him achieve what he has so far
