Captain’s C doesn’t stand for certainty
Australian lawn bowls captain Lynsey Clarke says she will give everything she has to score a third Commonwealth Games berth.
Clarke is facing a tough two months of competition as she attempts to earn a spot in Australia’s 10- person team for the Glasgow Games.
The Helensvale lawn bowler, who won gold at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006, is hoping to make Australia’s team for the New Zealand Test series in Victoria in March.
She will head to the trials early next month and said she was determined to be on the plane to Scotland in July.
“I’m trying to put my best foot forward to get selected,” the 30-year -old said. “This is one of the toughest teams to make.
“I missed the last tour to the UK back in August and that was disappointing but it’s made me a bit more determined to aim up and do well at the trials.
“The Commonwealth Games is the pinnacle of lawn bowls. It’s the toughest event to get selected for but that makes you work hard and to get there is awesome.
“It’s a really big goal and I’m hoping to achieve it by putting in the hard work.”
Despite being captain, Clarke is not guaranteed a spot in the squad. But she is confident her leadership skills and a return to form can help her break through.
“It’s more than just on -green performance. It’s a lot about your character and what you can contribute to the team.” she said.
“I’m working on being a good captain and role model for everyone. “I was given the captaincy because I’ve been in the Aussie team for 10 years and I am a good role model for the young ones coming through.
“It’s a little bit of an added pressure but it’s good fun to have.”
Steve Glasson, national coach and chairman of selectors, said Clarke was a strong chance of being selected.
“We’ve got a selection camp next month to pick a Trans- Tasman team to face New Zealand and the majority of that team will go on to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games,” he said.
“Lynsey is a senior player and our captain. She’s been there and done it before.
“It is horses for courses, though.
Glasgow is foreign conditions for some of our players. She’s been performing well lately and if she can bring that form in she’d be right in consideration.
“The captaincy isn’t so much about on -green activity.
“She’s seen as a person with exceptional leadership skills who’s ideal to be captain.”
Clarke has been training at the Southport Croquet Club on special greens designed to mimic the Scottish conditions.
On these greens, the grass is left to grow longer making them slower.
“History shows as a team Australia hasn’t gone really well in the northern hemisphere for bowls,” she said.
“The greens and conditions are so different to what we play on here.
“We are training specifically for the conditions (we will face) because … our greens don’t compare to Scotland’s.”
Clarke captained Australia to a 4 -1 Test series win against Malaysia late last year.
She proved her worth to the side after she was omitted from the team that contested the Eight Nations in Scotland last year.
Photo: Lynsey Clarke at 2012 World Championships
