Laini McGorman to play for Adelaide Pioneers at BPL20
South Australian stalwart Laini McGorman will suit up for the Adelaide Pioneers at BPL20 in November ahead of what is to be the biggest Bowls Premier League (BPL) to date.
New Zealand’s Katelyn Inch was due to resume her duties for the franchise, but due to work commitments, the 29-year-old has had to withdraw from the event.
McGorman is a member of the Adelaide Bowling Club, the owner of the team, and was asked immediately by BPL veteran and two-time MVP Scott Thulborn to make her debut at the made-for-television event.
“I actually showed up to a pennant trial last Saturday and Scotty Thulborn pulled me aside and said that Katelyn was unfortunately busy with work and if I like to represent the pioneers at Pine Rivers,” she said,
“I said yes immediately, and he had to check and make sure I was actually available and I told him I would ensure that I’d be playing.
“So yeah, it’s happened really quickly, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
The Adelaide product is jubilant at the chance to establish to the world what she can do, given the expanded competition to twelve teams and a plethora of international stars making their way to Queensland.
She adores the fast paced format that has dazzled the bowls community for eleven years and looks forward to being a part of it, but her teammates are what excite her the most.
“To me, the number one exciting thing is playing with Scotty and Wayne Ruediger because they’re just both amazing,” McGorman said.
“On the format, I love it because it is so fast and quick and you need to use that power play at the right time.
“There’s almost a little bit more luck involved in who wins, but I’m really pumped to see how it goes, it often comes down to the last bowl of the whole match and and that’s really exciting.”
In terms of who the 2023 Australian Champion of Champions conqueror is most thrilled to be playing against, one name stood out above the rest.
“I’ve played against her before, but I think Karen Murphy, who is in my opinion, the goat of female bowls, I’m excited to play against her,” she said.
“She’s been an idol of mine for a very long time, so it’ll be good to be on the same green as her on one of the biggest stages going around.”
BPL20 runs from November 11-15, 2024, at Club Pine Rivers with live streaming on Bowls Australia’s YouTube channel, as well as live broadcasts from Tuesday to Friday from 4pm until 10pm AEST on Fox, Kayo and Sky Sports NZ.
