Jessie Cottell – Tweed Heads

by bqmedia on October 1, 2021

“I have never played in the North versus South test and I am very excited to be representing South Queensland with some wonderful ladies,” Jessie said.

Her dad introduced her to bowls. “He used to be a Division 1 bowler in NSW before my brother and I were born. Dad introduced my brother to bowls just before me but after jumping on the green one day to have a game against Jay and winning, I decided that I might like the sport,” she said. Nine years later and Jessie plays at least three times a week for a game or training.

Her proudest moment was representing Queensland in the ladies open team and also being awarded the Bowls Australia U18 female player of the year in 2018.

“My most memorable moment was just recently making the quarter finals of the Australian Open Ladies singles just six weeks after having a baby and defeating the number 1 female Australian bowler (Dawn Hayman NSW) to get there.”

Jessie’s first goal is to be selected again to represent Queensland in the ladies open side, followed by representing Australia.

“I really look up to my fellow Ospreys and Australian Jackaroos, Lynsey Clarke and Chloe Stewart. I hope to one day achieve even half as much as they have.”

Jessie would tell any new young bowler “don’t let anyone tell you it’s just an old person’s sport”.

Her one wish for bowls in Australia would be a higher level representative competition for U25s. There is a national event for U18s but not for U25s. It would be great if we could also start up the Queensland versus Auckland development series again once Covid-19 settles.

“I would also like to tell younger bowlers with big dreams that you can do anything you dream if you just put your mind to it and do the hard work, don’t let anyone or anything stop you from trying to achieve that goal or dream.