2023 Multi-Nations preview
The Right at Home Jackaroos and Para Jackaroos return for their inaugural outing in 2023 this weekend as the Multi-Nations kicks off on the Gold Coast.
All 20 open squad members will join 12 of their para counterparts across two Australian teams, green and yellow, as they battle it out against the likes of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, Norfolk Island and Queensland, who will take the place of Malaysia in the field.
The competition kicks off at the Broadbeach Bowls Club on Saturday before heading to Mudgeeraba, Paradise Point, Club Helensvale and Club Musgrave across the competition in preparation for the World Bowls Championships in August.
Days one to six will contain the pool matches of each discipline, with the final half of day six and all of day seven set to stage the medal contests.
The Australian contingent overall consists of 15 Commonwealth Games medallists across various teams and disciplines, including the likes of Ellen Ryan, Aaron Wilson, Kristina Krstic, Kelsey Cottrell, Lynsey Clarke, Jake Fehlberg and Natasha Van Eldik making the Jackaroos a formidable force on their home greens.
Crossing the ditch are New Zealand who return to Queensland for the first time since the 2022 Trans Tasman last June, boasting a similar line-up to the one that faced Australia at Mount Tamborine.
All five women’s bronze medallists from Birmingham 2022 remain in the team, with Katelyn Inch, Selina Goddard, recently crowned World Champion of Champions Tayla Bruce, Nicole Toomey and two-time World Champion Val Smith.
Ireland also bring a strong team down, with Birmingham men’s fours champions Martin McHugh, Sam Barkley, Ian McClure and Adam McKeown all making the trip, with two-time Commonwealth Games medallist and BPL champion Gary Kelly also in the squad.
The Irish team faced off against the Jackaroos in Queensland in November, a tour that saw the likes of Sophie McIntyre, Ashleigh Rainey, Lara Reaney and Chloe Wilson take to the greens, and they will do so again over the coming week.
South Africa’s squad will see Birmingham women’s fours silver medallists Thabelo Muvhango, Anneke Snyman and Bridget Kalitz, as well as women’s para pairs bronze medallist Victoria Van der Merwe and former Commonwealth Games champion Colleen Piketh.
Among the Norfolk Island team is Shae Wilson, who just fell short in the bronze medal playoff in the women’s singles event in Birmingham last year.
Hong Kong’s team includes Man Ka Chan, who last week secured a silver in the B3 women’s singles at the IBBA World Championships, as well as Iron Long Tsz Tang who claimed a pair of fourth-place finishes in B3 men’s singles and B3 mixed pairs.
Queensland will field a trio of Right at Home Emerging Jackaroos including Nick Cahill, Kira Bourke and Cohen Litfin, as well as Pathways Jackaroos Kane Nelson, Jacob Nelson and Chris Rosanes.
The 2023 Multi-Nations will run from March 25-31, 2023, on the Gold Coast. The final two days of the event will be live streamed on Bowls Australia’s Facebook page on March 30 and 31.
