The Dawn of a new adventure for Hayman
Throughout the past year COVID-19 has ravaged the world and the sporting landscape has been one of the hardest hit, but for some individuals it has created opportunities to progress, and BCiB Jackaroo Dawn Hayman will get her own opportunity at BPL13 next week.
As the bowling fraternity descends on Club Pine Rivers, Hayman will be there for the first time as a player, but not for a team in her home state of New South Wales.
Kristina Krstic and Cody Packer were due to return to the Perth Suns line up after being absent from BPL12 in Moama two months ago, but a pandemic scare in Brisbane earlier this month has caused them to remain in Western Australia.
The news has paved the way for the 23-year-old Hayman, who received a somewhat unexpected phone call from Bowls WA.
“I was pretty surprised actually, because I assumed that Western Australians were fine to come across,” Hayman said.
“But then they told me what the circumstances were and I was just pretty shocked.”
The recent women’s Australian Champion of Champions victor will link up with Trystan Smallacombe, who claimed the men’s event in Dandenong last month, and BPL12 MVP runner-up Ray Pearse.
Her recent form has established her as one of the best draw players in the country, claiming the aforementioned title in Dandenong undefeated and a New South Wales state title in February.
Those wins mean the St John’s Park club member will take an abundance of confidence into the BPL, with the pairs and triples element of little concern.
“My draw game has been pretty good lately with singles so I’ll just try and draw close and see what happens,” she said.
“I’m just assuming that I’ll most likely be leading so I’ll just keep looking to be drawing shots for the skip, which is what I’ve already been doing with my form in singles.”
The BPL has been such a phenomenon on the bowls landscape, becoming increasingly popular thanks to its television exposure, format and atmosphere.
Hayman’s eyes have been transfixed to screens watching it and hoping that soon she could be playing in the biannual event.
For the young Jackaroo, the jubilation is palpable.
“I’m really excited, I usually watch it every year and have hoped that one day I’ll get a phone call,” Hayman said.
“It’s unfortunate circumstances but this year I got that call and hopefully I’ll play well and enjoy the time.
“It’s a good opportunity to get my name out there, I’m used to the TV cameras a little now but it’s mainly about getting myself out there and hopefully getting another chance.
“I’d like to thank Bowls WA and the Perth Suns for the call up.”
BPL13 runs from April 20-23, with Rinkside Live live-streaming available on Facebook and broadcast action nightly from 5-10pm AEDT on Fox Sports.
