Defence Force guns primed to fire
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will launch an audacious attack on this year’s Australian Open The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will launch an audacious attack on this year’s Australian Open, sending one of its largest contingents ever, with 18 Defence members descending on Darebin including for the first time, a women’s fours team, as Scott Kohler reports.
The Australian Services Bowls Association (ASBA), the ADF’s governing body for lawn bowls, will be represented in the singles, pairs and fours in the main draw of the $140,000 event.
The RAAF have two members in the singles main draw with Leading Aircraftsman Phil Brown taking on the young gun Nathan Wilson.
Sergeant Gerard Harkins faces off against one of Australia’s rising stars and current NSW singles champion Ben Twist from St Johns Park.
Navy will be represented in the singles by Petty Officer Jason Smith, who will go head to head in the first round against Australian Premier League Perth Suns star Clive Adams.
Army’s Warrant Officer One Mick Carley will wait the outcome of the last chance as he has drawn a qualifier in the first round.
In the main draw of the pairs, Squadron Leader Ian Lane and Leading Aircraftsman Phil Brown clash with SA state team mates Matthew Northcott and Simon Dorr.
The ADF duo will also combine with two fellow Northern Territorians in the fours.
The rest of the ASBA squad will be battling it out at Darebin in Last Chance Qualifying, including the first women’s team to represent the ADF.
“It is really a big honour and exciting to be part of the first female team to represent Defence in lawn bowls,” said Warrant Officer Two Susie McManus.
“As this is our first time I don’t think we have too many expectations apart from just trying to do our best.
“Especially given that some of us have drawn current and ex state and Australian players in the draw.”
The foursome’s strength, says Susie, is the way they get along and being able to gel very quickly.
Susie will play third for Navy’s Able Seaman Anita Jenkins with Army’s Warrant Officer Two Jane Wall (lead) and Navy’s Petty Officer Sharon Jarvis (second) and though Susie is used to giving orders at work she says not being in charge won’t be a problem.
“I’m not to shy in putting my opinion forward”, she said with a wink.
Caption: Able Seaman Anita (AJ) Jenkins in action for the Australian Defence Force.
