National Schools Bowls Championships
Lawn bowls now has a recognised national high school competition called the National Schools Championships. This inaugural event was played at the City of Geelong Bowling Club from 18-20 September, where Queensland’s Under-18 team finished third overall and received a team bronze medal.
Across three days, five states took to the green in the first tournament of its kind, held jointly with School Sport Australia.
Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia all competed, with 10 matches live streamed on Bowls Australia’s YouTube channel.
The respective teams also participated in a coaching clinic on the afternoon prior to competition, held by Australian Pathways Coaches, Right at Home Emerging Jackaroos and former Australian representatives.
Following the conclusion of the finals on Friday, an All Australian team was picked as the event’s best players and Riley Gerick and Trent Brehmer made the team.
Both the girls’ team and boys’ team were in an open draw and playoffs were dependant on the finishing position in all disciplines.
On Wednesday, 18 September, in very trying cold and windy conditions, the Queensland team battled the conditions, never giving up throughout the day and were on top of the overall leader board on Day 1. By Day 3, the final matches resulted in the following:
Singles
• Riley Gerick played off for Gold and won 21 to 14
• Tilah Mason played for 7th & 8th position won 21 to 11
Pairs
• Rhys Gillman & Riley Gerick played for Gold but went down 11 to 19 to claim silver
• Lacey Gerick & Tilah Mason played for 7th & 8th position and won 17 to 10
Triples
• Thomas Brehmer, Todd Brain, Trent Brehmer played for Gold and went down 13 to 15 to claim silver
• Makayla Gainsford, Ashlin Johnson, Phoebie Russell played for 5th & 6th and won 13 to 11
Fours
• 5th & 6th Thomas Brehmer, Rhys Gillman, Todd Brain, Trent Brehmer played our girls’ team Makayla Gainsford, Ashlin Johnson, Lacey Gerick and Phoebie Russell where the boys team won.
Congratulations to Phoebie Russell on receiving the Queensland sportsmanship award.
The team performance was good, and the under-18s are now working towards The Nationals at Tweed Heads held in early October.
Well done to all on their performance and for representing Queensland well.
Thank you to QLD Representative School Sport for endorsing Bowls QLD to coordinate a team for this event, and to School Sport Australia for creating and running this inaugural event.
Thank you to our Coaches/Managers Bill Cornehls, Chrissy Pavlov and Thomas Blaszczyk.
National School Bowls Championships – QLD Team: Back left to right: Phoebie Russell, Ashlin Johnson, Makayla Gainsford, Lacey Gerick, Tilah Mason & Todd Brain. Front: Rhys Gillman, Trent Brehmer, Riley Gerick & Thomas Brehmer.