Traralgon to host Trans Tasman
Traralgon has been confirmed as the host venue for the 2014 Trans Tasman encounter The world’s top two bowls nations, the Australian Jackaroos and New Zealand Black Jacks, will clash in Traralgon next year after the city today secured the rights to host lawn bowls’ biggest international rivalry, the 2014 Trans Tasman.
A litany of the sport’s eminent players from both sides of the ditch, including world champions and Commonwealth Games gold medallists, will wage war on the greens of the Victorian city, situated in the Latrobe Valley of the Gippsland region, over three-days for the annual test series; held at the Traralgon Bowls Club from March 18 to 20, 2014.
Next year’s installment of the traditionally coveted competition boasts added impetus, with the neighbouring rivals going head-to-head across all age levels at the same time for a second year in a row.
Over 60 of the sport’s premier players, comprising of Under-18, Development – which includes three under-25 and two over-age players, and the Senior team will continue lawn bowls fiercest contest.
According to Bowls Australia Chief Executive Officer Neil Dalrymple, the city is the perfect venue to stage the tournament.
“We’re delighted to be able to take our Trans Tasman test series to Traralgon next year,” Dalrymple said.
“Traralgon is a particularly strong bowls region and I’m confident that the surrounding community will get right behind an event of this calibre.”
Featuring singles, pairs, triples and fours for both men and women, the 2014 Trans Tasman is sure to be a hotly contested, with more than just national pride on the line when the two countries go toe-to-toe over three action-packed days.
The Jackaroos continued their long standing dominance of the event earlier this year in Auckland and currently possess the senior, development and Under-18 overall trophies after clean-sweeping the event in enemy territory, with the Black Jacks seeking redemption on our soil next year.
Since the inaugural Trans Tasman in 1979, Australia has held sway against New Zealand in the senior event, claiming the men’s title on 20 of the 35 occasions, while its women have captured 11 of 17, including a draw.
While today’s announcement cements the location for next year’s international affair against old enemy New Zealand, the two countries are poised to meet on the green much sooner, at the Eight Nation Commonwealth Games Invitational event in Glasgow from August 26 to September 1, with the National Selection Panel confirming the selection of the Australian contingent this Friday, July 12.
