The trans-Tasman bowls challenge takes place at the Naenae Bowling Club in Wellington starting tomorrow (Friday) with 56 competitors shared from each nation.
The competition will be split between indoor and outdoor greens, as the players begin preparing for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be contested indoors.
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Debuting for the Kiwis in the women’s pairs and fours is Taranaki 20-year-old Briar Atkinson. The young bowler is in the final year of a nursing degree while competing at the top level of bowls. Atkinson was named to the team in December, following a strong year in which she won the U26 Singles at the Oceanias.
“I'm super excited and nervous at the same time. There’s a lot to look forward to and I’m excited to learn off the wider team and play some of the best bowlers in the world,” said Atkinson.
“I’m expecting a lot of noise and some top bowls from the Australians, it’s a good team and we’ll be doing our best to cause an upset.”
On the men's side, fresh off a second placing at Nationals, Keanu Darby from Dunedin will earn his first cap as he joins established BlackJacks Shannon McIlroy and Ali Forsyth in the top team.
The third new cap will be presented to Kurt Smith, who will join the Para team. Smith will team up with veteran Mark Noble in the Para Men's Pairs.
There will be another notable milestone, with Tony Grantham (Triples, Fours) set to play his 200th game for the BlackJacks in the second round.
Bowls New Zealand Head Coach Mike Kernaghan says the competition is the start of an important block ahead of the 2025 World Cup in Hong Kong and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“Any opportunity to play at this level against great opposition is really important for us,” said Kernaghan.
“Australia is one of the best squads in the world and we know we can be very competitive against them so we’re looking forward to a great competition.
The Trans-Tasman series will simulate the sets play format for the 2025 World Cup (Hong Kong) and 2026 Commonwealth Games (Glasgow) in the Singles and Pairs disciplines, while the Triples and Fours will play the traditional 18-ends and 15-ends format respectively.
The event will include:
Open Men's and Women's disciplines - Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours, Para Men/Para Women disciplines - Pairs, Mixed Pairs
The full team is:
Wome:
Tayla Bruce Singles, Triples (2)
Briar Atkinson Pairs (L), Fours (2)
Selina Goddard Pairs (S), Fours (3)
Leeane Poulson Triples (L), Fours (L)
Val Smith Triples (S), Fours (S)
Men:
Shannon McIlroy Singles, Pairs (L)
Ali Forsyth Pairs (S), Fours (S)
Finbar McGuigan Triples (2), Fours (2)
Tony Grantham Triples (L), Fours (L)
Keanu Darby Triples (S), Fours (3)
BlackJacks Para:
Mark Noble Men’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs
Kurt Smith Men’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs
Teri Blackbourn Women’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs
Julie O'Connell Women’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs
Development women:
Lisa Prideaux Singles, Triples (2)
Kim Hemingway Pairs (L), Fours (L)
Sarah Scott Pairs (S), Fours (S)
Caitlin Thomson Triples (L), Fours (2)
Natasha Russell Triples (S), Fours (3)
Development men:
Aiden Takarua Singles, Pairs (S)
Robbie Bird Pairs (L), Fours (L)
Hamish Kelleher Triples (L), Fours (2)
Kaylin Huwyler Triples (2), Fours (3)
Blake Signal Triples (S), Fours (S)