‘Apple-by’ doesn’t fall far from the tree for this family
One of the best and most unique aspects of bowls from other sports is the opportunity to compete against alongside your loved ones, and there might not be a better example than the Appleby family.
Despite still being juniors, Cooper, Chloe and Tailor Appleby are notching up quite the bowls CV.
At just 10-years-old, Cooper’s passion for bowls is already immense.
Starting in October 2018 as an 8-year-old, he began the sport by playing socially with his uncle Gary and older brother Tailor.
Wherever Cooper went, success through family ties followed.
In 2019 he played in his first junior District events with sister Chloe, winning the pairs and fours with her which later lead them to his first and Chloe’s second state title event.
Cooper played in his first open club event (major club pairs) with his dad Aaron in 2019, making it to the semifinal.
At such a young age, he has already made a name for himself, recording many impressive wins, including another junior District pairs with club mate Dylan Tracey this year. He also made it through to the semifinals of the junior singles.
He also competed in the under-18s and the open fours at this year’s Australian Open.
Despite all of his early success, Cooper said he just can’t wait until he is able to get one over his brother in a singles game!
Cooper’s sister Chloe was a bit older than Cooper when taking up bowls in 2018, but certainly has shown her talent in just a few years.
Chloe won the 2018 junior District pairs with brother Tailor along with the junior District fours, taking her to her first state playoffs where her and Tailor made it to the pairs semifinals.
The family connection continued with Chloe, finishing as runner up in the ladies club fours team with her Aunt Ann Wilkins while also making her first Zone 6 representation alongside Tailor an Dad Aaron.
Last year, Chloe took out her first Junior District Singles, a proud moment for her whole family.
Her efforts have been recognised, taking out the 2020 Zone 6 Junior District bowler of the year and was also invited to try out for the NSW ladies under 25/Open teams before they were postponed due to COVID.
Tailor has a bright bowls future ahead of him too, winning the 2020 club major pairs with Nathan Dawson, also took out the district pairs which lead them to be semi finalists in the champion of champion pairs event.
He also won the Australian indoor qualifying event at Cessnock an got to go to the Australian Indoor finals at Tweed Heads where he finished in the top 8 men’s division
This year he and Dawson won the 2021 club major pairs again and he also was invited to the under 25 state trials.
He has an impressive catalogue of achievements to his name too, winning the Zone 6 junior bowler of the year in 2017, and winning the 2016 state junior 4s, the same event his Dad Aaron won 1996.
A common theme amongst this amazing family is the bond bowls has offered them, something not many other sports can do.
There will be much more success ahead of the Applebys as the years go on.
