Aus Para-Bowls Comm Games Trial Squad
BA has announced its 12-strong Australian Para-Bowls Commonwealth Games Trial Squad Australia’s march towards the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games took a further step forward today, with Bowls Australia announcing its 12-strong Australian Para-Bowls Commonwealth Games Trial Squad.
The para-bowls disciplines are a new addition to the Commonwealth Games format, with the athletes with a disability triples and vision-impaired pairs each competing for a full medal at the event next year, in addition to the eight able-bodied medallions on offer for the sport.
Earning selection in the persons with a disability trial squad are four Victorians, three New South Welshmen, three South Australians and two Queensland representatives, ranging in physical disability classification from B5 to B8.
Following their 2013 Multi-Disability National Championships singles victories in Brisbane last week, Queensland’s Tony Bonnell, from Pine Rivers, and Brighton’s Wendy Odgers have earnt inclusion in the squad; as did a trio of other Victorians after claiming the overall trophy for the top state at the event.
In the next stage of the selection process to identify the best three candidates to represent the nation at the sport’s pinnacle event, the 12-member squad will take part in a national selection camp in Melbourne next month, where three will be selected to travel to Wales and Scotland in August to compete in the Eight Nation Commonwealth Games Invitational event, alongside the Australian Jackaroos.
As a result of the influx of responses Bowls Australia received from the call to arms it recently issued seeking expressions of interest from eligible bowlers with a disability looking to compete at the Commonwealth Games, Australian Coach Steve Glasson OAM and the national selection panel in conjunction with Australian Athletes with a Disability (AAWD) state organisations will also embark on a state-by-state talent identification program later in the year to canvass any potential representatives who may be suited to don the green and gold uniform in the contrasting Glasgow conditions.
“This is an initial selection for candidates to possibly represent Australia in the UK in August and potentially Glasgow in 2014,” National Coach Steve Glasson OAM said of the announcement.
“This tour will provide three candidates with a chance to further press their case for selection or cement their chance for selection to the Commonwealth Games.
“The motivation for the state wide talent identification program is because we don’t know how people are going to adapt to Glasgow or Glasgow-mirrored conditions, because they are totally foreign to us, which is why we are keeping the door somewhat open.
“The criteria that we took into account for the 12 trial squad members were things like performances at Nationals; previous results in competition; demeanour, body language and attitude and technique for heavy green play.”
An announcement on the selection of the Jackaroos players to compete in Wales and Scotland will take place at the conclusion of their competitive training camp at Maribyrnong Bowls Club on July 12, along with the confirmation of the final three athletes with a disability to travel to the UK, while the vision-impaired bowlers attending the tour will be finalised after their camp on June 23.
Australian Para-Bowls Commonwealth Games Trial Squad:
Name, state, classification:
Anthony Bonnell (QLD) B6
Carolyn Nelson (NSW) B6
James Reynolds (NSW) B7
Tim Slater (VIC) B7
Clive Williams (QLD) B7
Barry Charity (SA) B7
Joshua Thornton NSW) B8
Joshua Barry (VIC) B8
Wendy Odgers (VIC) B5
Liam Buckley (SA) B6
Darryl Willson (SA) B6
Alison Meakin (VIC) B7
