Mark that date
The life of an Australian Jackaroo- Mark Casey has a busy time ahead with international duties, work commitments and chasing silverware in APL03. Mark Casey might just be the busiest Australian Jackaroo in the coming months with a long list of events that will see the Commonwealth Games gold medallist on a plane to New Zealand twice, a chance to create history at the Australian Premier League and to be recognized for his achievements in his career.
First on the agenda for Casey is a trip back to New Zealand to compete in the North East Valley Singles; Casey was one of three Australian Jackaroos chosen by the Australian selection panel to compete in one of New Zealand’s strongest singles tournaments.
Casey will come up against New Zealand Blackjacks Andrew Kelly and Tony Grantham along with a host of quality centre representatives including Dave Archer, Andy McLean, Jim Scott, Andre Smith and Shayne Sincock.
On the 29th of this month Casey is one of two Regional Bowls Managers vying for the award of RBM of the Year at Bowls Australia’s annual Hall of Fame and Awards Night to be held at Mantra Legends in Surfers Paradise; a nomination Casey received last year only to be pipped at the post by his colleague Peter Nixon.
There are 16 Regional Bowls Managers across the country working closely with clubs in their regions to help increase participation, membership, assist clubs with grant submissions, business planning and promotion; with Casey being located in South East Queensland, he went above and beyond to ensure the relocation of the $225,000 Australian Open to the Gold Coast was a success whilst still producing great results in his day to day role.
The third instalment of the revolutionary Australian Premier League is fast approaching and whilst we are used to seeing Casey wearing maroon for the inaugural APL champions XXXX Brisbane Gold, the Club Helensvale member will be returning to the more familiar colours, green and gold, when he takes his place in the Gold Coast Hawks team owned by his beloved club.
Adding to the rivalry between two proud Queensland franchises, Casey opted to play for the Gold Coast Hawks after remaining with XXXX Brisbane Gold in APL02 in search of back-to-back titles; the Gold Coast Hawks entered the APL in its second year and now Casey is in the position to represent his club alongside club mates and good friends Nathan Rice and Brett Wilkie.
The Gold Coast Hawks are a strong chance of claiming a maiden APL title which in turn would make Casey the only player in APL history to win two the prestigious title twice.
This week 20 Australian Jackaroos were nervously awaiting the announcement of the Asia Pacific Championships team after a gruelling week of trials in New Zealand; Casey retained his position in the Australian team after a successful Trans-Tasman outing back in March and will join his nine other team mates on a plane back to New Zealand in November, just days after the APL, to compete in the international benchmark event.
Remarkably it was eight years ago when the Asia Pacific Championships was last held in Christchurch and to Casey’s credit his longevity in the game sees him back for another chance at international success; the 2015 Asia Pacific Championships commences November 24-December 6.
Casey will skip the fours with Nathan Rice (third), Ray Pearse (second) and Wayne Ruediger (lead) and will play in the middle of Ruediger and Rice in the triples.
A strong outing at the Asia Pacific Championships is a chance for the Australian’s to cement their position in the team for the Trans-Tasman and Six Nations in March 2016; all of these events are leading into bowls’ ultimate event, the 2016 World Championships.
Casey first represented Australia in 2003 and now 13 years down the track the Gold Coaster is still at the top of his game and you can catch him in action for the Gold Coast Hawks during the APL commencing November 10.
For more information about the Australian Premier League, follow this link to the website.
For more information about the Bowls Australia Hall of Fame and Awards Night, click here.
Caption- Mark Casey has a busy schedule ahead with APL03 and the Asia Pacific Championships headlining the agenda for one of Australia’s best.
