Hoping to make history in Tasmania
Sarah Boddington will be looking at a slice of history when the NSW
State team contests this year’s Australian Sides Championships in
Tasmania Tuncurry lawn bowler Sarah Boddington will be looking at a slice of history when the NSW State team contests this year’s Australian Sides Championships in Tasmania, as the Great Lakes Advocate reports.
Held in Bernie from March 28 to April 4, the NSW team is arguably one of the strongest sides ever assembled with all 12 players, including Boddington, having played at International level for either Australia or Scotland.
The NSW contingent will be aiming for an unprecedented third straight win after victories in the national event in 2012 and last year.
Having completed comprehensive test series wins against arch rivals Queensland and Victoria in recent weeks, the NSW team is entering the annual event as red hot favourites.
But according to Boddington, no one on the side will be taking any of their opponents for granted.
“Bowls is a very funny game and anything can happen, especially if you are not mentally prepared and totally focused on the job at hand,” she said.
“Three years ago we were the overwhelming favourites and before we knew what had hit us, we had gone down to Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania in quick succession.
“It was a hard lesson for all of us so we really knuckled down to the task in the last two years to ensure there was no repeat of what happened in 2011. And this year, we are determined to make it three in a row.”
Despite being the youngest player on the side, 21-year-old Boddington is virtually a veteran.
She will achieve her own personal milestone during the event when she chalks up 50 caps for NSW and has been a member of the senior side for the last four years.
“Playing for your state is a real honour and I have never taken it for granted that I will get selected in each ensuing event,” she said.
“I feel very proud that I have been part of the NSW team continually since leaving the junior ranks in 2010.”
The NSW women’s team to contest the 2014 Australian Sides Championship consists of: Sarah Boddington, Kay Moran, Anne Jonhs, Beth Quinlan, Arlene Jeffery, Sharon Renshaw, Claire Turley, Julie Keegan, Katrina Wright, Kelsey Cottrell, Karen Murphy and Natasha Scott.
