A future star in the making
At just 14 years of age, Jessie Cottell has been identified as a rising star of the sport in Queensland after claiming both the Under-15 State Singles and Pairs this year. Queensland has always had a knack of producing talented junior girls with the likes of Lynsey Clarke, Bolivia Millerick and Natasha Jones all coming through the ranks from a young age.
The next generation of young stars were on show at the recent Australian Open; once again bowls in Queensland is looking bright and one player that may have caught your attention was 14 year-old Jessie Cottell.
After just two years in the game, Cottell has excelled in under-15 events having already taken out both the State under-15 singles and pairs and now the determined Gold Coaster is ready to set her sights higher.
Cottell, who has paired up with Bowls Australia’s preferred bowls manufacturer Aero Bowls, got a taste of international competition when she joined the Queensland Development team on a trip to New Zealand to compete against Auckland in 2014, also after taking on her hero, Australia’s most capped international bowler, Karen Murphy in the recent Australian Open, Cottell now knows what it will take to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
“Playing against one of my idols, Karen Murphy and her partner Kay Moran in the Australian Open pairs was up there with making the final eight in the Under 18 girls singles as the most enjoyable part of the event,” a star struck Cottell said.
“Karen Murphy is my favourite Australian Jackaroo; she is the epitome of what an Australian athlete should be, athletically fit, a great role model, has an amazing delivery, focused when on the green and a nice person off the green.”
Cottell also looks up to Broadbeach club mate Selina Goddard; who is a member of the New Zealand Blackjacks who won bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, however Cottell doesn’t just admire Goddard’s bowling ability but the pair share something else in common.
Goddard was a gymnast before taking up bowls and Cottell has been a dancer from a young age; she has been managing to combine her two sports successfully and hopes to achieve as much as Goddard at such a young age.
“I have participated in Physical Culture Dance since the age of five and to this point placed in the top five at every National competition; I hope to achieve this again this year at a senior level,” the highly determined athlete said.
Cottell is a year nine student at Palm Beach High and is considering a career in education; however with busy times ahead Cottell still hopes to be in Canberra for the upcoming Australian Junior Championships as a member of the Queensland team.
“The Australian Junior Championships are set to take place at Tuggeranong Valley Bowls Club from September 28-30 and will be the best place to witness Australia’s most promising young stars.
Win lose or draw, Cottell loves the game of bowls because she is continually meeting people, making new friends and enjoys being part of a team.
The dedication Cottell has shown in her decade long dancing career is an attribute that will find her in good stead in bowls; so watch out for this youngster in the near future progressing up the ranks.
