junior

bowlerSt.anthony's victorious

in All schools cup

Leese in WA gold success

Cooper whitestyles

tweed development SESSIONS

KIANI Anderson

October 2013

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Contents The BCIB Gold Coast - Tweed Junior Development Squad will hold their fourth training session in September.

Coach Greg Bostock said he couldn’t be happier with how the team are progressing. Each month the squad are practicing drills which include draw shots, drives and learning how to read heads. Encouraging them remember the squads commitment of being positive role models on and off the green is always an important aspect of each session.

Keeping the sessions interesting is always important, so the coach makes sure the squad finishes the day with something a little different. A game called sitting ducks is popular, where backhand and forehand drives are used the take the kitty into the ditch. Always a favourite with the squad!

Another is ‘bowl in a box’ where the player has to play an upshot to tip the box over and land the bowl in it. Not easy... But loads of fun! ‘Last one standing’ puts the pressure on, as the bowl furthest away means you lose that bowl in the next end. Playing one long, one short end means draw shots are

the only way to win! Greg also offers the team members individual coaching sessions which they find enormously beneficial.

The squad has been to four different clubs so far and are learning to play in all conditions. This month they will be on the synthetic greens at Paradise Point. Parents have been very supportive and enjoy watching the children and seeing the talent and sportsmanship they are developing.

Several squad members are already playing pennants for their respective clubs and represent the Gold Coast - Tweed District Quad Series. A special effort is being made to have junior/senior pairs days, as they help build confidence for the squad and strong relationships with the senior members of the clubs. It also helps promote junior bowlers to the game. Helensvale are holding a junior/senior day on 20th October and the squad will be there and are looking forward to a great competition. The feedback from the clubs has also been good with members interested to see what the

young squad are doing. Recently Greg has started a Facebook page to promote the squad a give them a forum for questions or any help they require.

A special thank you to Musgrave Hill, Robina, Burleigh Heads and Tugun bowls clubs for their support. After training sessions the host club provide a sausage sizzle and drinks for the squad.

Tweed development sessions are something different!

Tweed development sessions are something different3

Greg Bostock talks aboutyouth development on the coast

National Junior success in WA4

Our young medal winners on their day in the sun

St.Anthony’s triumph in All Schools Cup6

Rowley and Dunlop win the Battle of the North at Pine Rivers

Cooper Whitestyles10

Whitestyles and Foo, a cracking combination in pairs bowls

Kiani Anderson’s great season11

Pialba starlet looks forward to Champion of Champions

If you have any stories you’d like featured in Junior Bowler, please contactBowls Queensland on 07 3355 9988 or email news@bowls-queensland.org

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A gold medal performance at junior nationals has earned Queensland ace Braidan Leese a call-up to Australia’s under-18 national squad.

The apprentice greenkeeper from Coolangatta on the Gold Coast despatched Northern Territory’s Owen Short with ease, 21-5, to bag the singles title at the national championships in Perth.

Leese’s win was the highlight of a varied campaign for Queensland’s relatively inexperienced junior squad of five boys and five girls.

Talented duo April Wilson (Helensvale) and Taleah Putney (Gayndah) secured a second medal for the Queensland haul, beating ACT’s Jessica Hogan and Kristen Steele 26-11 in the pairs bronze medal play-off at Sorrento Bowls Club.

The win also earned Wilson (16) and Putney (15) a spot in the national under-18 squad, putting them in

contention to represent Australia at the 2014 Junior Trans-Tasman.

Wilson missed out on a second bronze in the singles, going down in the decider to an in-form Ellen Ryan from New South Wales, 21-6.

“I haven’t been well but kept playing on as I didn’t want to let my girls down,” Wilson said, post game. She had particular praise for her pairs partner, Putney, “She played very well. She’ll be back next year and so will I.”

The girls team of Connie-Leigh Rixon (Kawana), Putney, Rikki-Lee Kemp (Burnett) and Kali Visentin (Giru) suffered a similar fate in the four, edged out of a nail-biting bronze medal decider by home side WA, 17-15.

“There was number of short bowls that cost us in the end,” said Bill Cornehls, Bowls Queensland’s state coach.

Thankfully the boys fours outfit had no such trouble in their medal match.

Cohen Litfin (Jindalee), Stephen Savage (Dalby), Brendan Wilson (Tweed Heads) and Nic Gosley (Beenleigh) added another bronze to Queensland’s tally, with an impressive 20-shot victory over ACT, 29-9.

While not playing for medals, there was joy for Queensland’s triples teams, with both the boys and girls winning their fifth place play-off.

Leese was relieved with his pairs win, avoiding the wooden spoon by skipping Savage to victory over Northern Territory in the 7th/8th place play-off.

Flying back to Queensland with one gold and a pair of bronze medals was pleasing for Cornehls, but he’s not letting the squad rest easy.

“We can take some positives away from it, but there’s a few negatives we need to work on too.”

Despite winning gold, Cornehls is still pushing for more from Leese.

“He’s been around for a number of years, he came into the state junior side at 13,he’s gained a lot of experience over five years.”

“He’s got the ability but he can’t rely on that, he’s got to keep working at his game and keep developing through the ranks.”

He had the same firm advice for the bronze-winning girls pair.

“Taleah and April played quite well in the pairs. April’s been a little off-colour the last couple of days, anyone else could have just given up but she stuck to her guns,” Cornehls said.

“In the singles she didn’t play to her best, but in the pairs she played a lot better. She’ll still be in the junior ranks next year and I’ll expect more from her.

“The whole team did their best on the stage and we can’t ask for more.”

NSW were the big winners on the day, coming away with three gold, two silver and three bronze medals to wrap up the overall state champions trophies.

Two juniors, Jennifer Boutell, 16, and Sammi Sechtig, 15, had a big win at Brothers Bowls Club in Bundaberg on September 4, taking the B-Grade Ladies Pairs title 21-16.

Jennifer also won the B-Grade Ladies Singles three weeks earlier.

Both girls use Aero bowls, Sammi plays with yellow and Jennifer, who turns 17 this month, with blue.

Golden moment for braidan leese

Pairs bronze medalists, April Wilson and Taleah Putney.

Nic Gosley, Stephen Savage, Cohen Litfin and Brendan Wilson bring home bronze.

Braidan Leese and his Nation Junior gold

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St. Anthony’s Catholic College took out the 2013 All Schools Challenge Cup at Pine Rivers, beating the fancied Smithfield State High School in a thrilling tie-break.

Matthew Dunlop and James Rowley took the first nine end set 11-7, but Smithfield hit back 8-4 to level, leaving the game hinged on a tie-break set. Fine bowling from James Rowley, St. Anthony’s skip, took the crunch set 4-2.

Matthew Dunlop, Rowley’s lead, said, “We didn’t think we’d be able to win it, it’s a really nice surprise.”

“It was a really close game,” added Rowley, “but we were able to stay focused.”

The Smithfield duo had more wins than any of the other school teams on the way to the grand final, with three decisive victories in the rounds compared to St Anthony’s one win and one loss.

However St Anthony’s peaked at the right time, scraping into the semi finals but then making short work of Craigslea SHS in the semi, 12-1, 16-3.

There was some expectation the colourful Smithfield side, with more runs on the board, would out-play the quiet achievers from St Anthony’s in the final, but somebody forgot to tell the Townsville side to read the form guide.

Dunlop and Rowley, both 15, claimed the first nine-end set in comfortable style, 11-7, setting the cat among the pigeons.

However no one thought for one moment the Smithfield boys were incapable of reply, and so it proved, as they took control of the second set, posting a 4-8 victory to set up a winner-take-all tie-break.

Normally it would be the sort of down-to-the wire opportunity an experienced skip like Smithfield’s Mitchell Styles, with his damaging drives, would relish.

But in this case, Rowley’s steadfast placements prevailed over the master-blaster.

The tie-break see-sawed 1-1, 1-2, 2-2 until the fourth end, when it became clear this contest and All Schools championship for 2013 would be settled either way by a last-ditch drive by Styles.

Unfortunately for the Smithfield skip, the drive failed to rattle the canny placement of Rowley and a delighted St Anthony’s unit claimed the tie-break 4-2 and the state title.

The quiet pair hope to be back next year and defend their title. But it was last

St. ANthony's triumph in battle of the north

chance saloon for Smithfield stars James Petch,17, and Mitchell Styles, 16. “It would have been nice to win, we’re both in Year 12 this year so it’s our last chance at All Schools, it’s always hard to lose on the last end of a tie-break,” Styles said. “But all credit to the St Anthony’s boys, they played better on the day,” Petch said.

Bowls Queensland development manager Brett Murphy said it was great to see the hard work performed by a dedicated group of volunteers in the north of the state had paid off.

“Tropical Far North and North Queensland have been committed to junior and schools programs for as long as I can remember,” Murphy said.

Earlier in the contest 13 Queensland district winners took to the greens in Saturday’s sectional play as Sunday’s semi-finals berths looked to be filled.

Local side Pine Rivers SHS’s James Wakefield and Alex Thompson, lost tier opener 2-0 to dark horses Craigslea, who were competing in their first All Schools. The Craigslea boys, Wade Viers and Daniel Keogh, continued their fine

form into the second round and straight in to the semis by defeating Burnett State College girls, Annika Darlington and Aymee Bellert, 13-8, 21-2. Newcomer.Wade praised his more experienced partner, “He was picking up my broken pieces!” Daniel was more pragmatic, “We’ve been playing pretty consistent. We just need to keep it up over the next few games.”

With a bye in round three Craigslea had time to check out future opposition while Pine River and Burnett played out for pride. It was a tight game where the girls squeaked home 9-6, 10-8 winners.

Over in Section 2 Mackay faced Centenary Heights as St. Anthony’s took advantage of the bye. A strong performance from Thomas’ Bugeja and McFarlane of Mackay gave them a 10-7,

All Schools winners, Matthew Dunlop and James Rowley celebrating with family.

Runners up, Mitchel Styles and James Petch with Bowls Queenland’s Ron Chambers and Mark Lee.

Craigslea’s Wade Viers and Daniel Keogh.

Thomas McFarlane and Thomas Bugeja of Mackay SHS.

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11-5 victory, but they were still critical of their game. “We lacked consistency,” said McFarlane, who also took time to adjust to the speed of the greens. Bugeja had the same opinion about the greens, “They’re much quicker here than in Mackay.”

Centenary Heights pair, Cody Slatter and Jamie Dwyer, hit back in round two and put future winners, St. Anthony’s through their paces. After losing the first set 10-6, the Heights came back with an astonishing 13-3 win and kept up the attack in the tie-break. A 4-0 win producing great bowls.

A third round showdown between Mackay and St. Anthony’s was tense as end for end was tight until the closing stages. St. Antony’s kept their opponents at bay 12-8, 9-8 but this had umpires working overtime on the count back. But Dunlop and Rowley made it through after numbers were checked and checked again.

Losing finalists Smithfield had a hard run to the final as they were in the only section with four teams. First up they took on Hervey Bay siblings Robert and Jacinta Weier. Smithfield set out their stall early, winning 14-8, 15-4. But the Cairns boys had to work hard for the points against a determined Jacinta.

In the other game Rockhampton SHS’s David Foxwell and Lachlan Miller lost 12-6, 14-2 to Bundaberg district winners, the Shalom College boys Sam Bylsma and Paul Kajewski. And a disappointing day continued for Rocky as they were on the sharp end of a decisive Smithfield, who beat them 15-3, 13-3 in the second round.

Hervey Bay and Shalom drew 6-6 in their first set but Bay came strong in the second winning 14-3. Although happy with the improvement, the Weiers knew what they had to do to improve. “We need to keep our concentration,” offered Robert. Jacinta’s fine play continued but she acknowledged some difficulties, “The speed of the greens was hard to get used to. We definitely improved in this round.”

Their confidence was not misplaced as they beat Rockhampton 11-8, 13-4 in the final game. Jacinta’s bowls drawing applause from all around the rink. But it wasn’t enough to earn a semis place as Smithfield continued their dominance, running out tie-break winners 6-12, 9-7, 5-1 against Shalom.

Section 4 produced some great bowls from all three teams. First up Clifton SHS’s Braydon Saville and Josh Keleher beat Sunshine Coast Grammar’s Nathan Inglis and Brodie Goddard via a slim tie-break victory. After wining the opening set 10-6 they lost to an improving Coast duo 14-5, but got back on track 2-0 in the final set.

Mooloolaba Bowls Club coach Philip Holden said All Schools had been an amazing experience for the Grammar boys, who hadn’t been in the sport long but were natural athletes and it showed as soon as they picked up a bowl. “Nathan’s a cricketer, he’s just come

back from a one month tour of England, and Brodie comes from a basketball and AFL background,” Holden said.

Clifton then faced the girls from Pacific Pines, Paige Bailey and Michaela Bailey-Nelson. Paige was confident despite the bye, “The bye makes it harder as the other teams know the greens already but I am looking forward to it.” Her confidence was well founded as they dispatched Clifton 15-6, 20-4 in a great display of bowls.

In a tense final match Pacific took on Sunshine Coast. This was another contest where the crowd were very appreciative

of the high standard of bowls from the school pupils. Pines won the first set 10-6 but lost the next 12-4 at the bell, but a draw was enough to see the girls through as the only female representatives on finals day.The weather again was great for bowls as the four teams got their semi’s underway. St. Anthony’s burst through Craigslea’s defence to seal their final spot, 11-1, 16-3. A fantastic display giving warning they were not to be taken lightly.

A determined Smithfield continued to play with guile and power, and they saw off the tough Pacific Pines duo, 7-7, 16-5. With handshakes all-round and eliminated teams watching on it showed great sportsmanship between the young players.

The final played out as it should have done; two teams on form, searching for victory and giving no quarter. As St. Anthony’s won the first set and Smithfield the second the tension rose a notch or two as the tie-break began. But it was Rowley’s shrewd bowls which helped take the title up to Townsville.

The format for the ninth annual All Schools Cup was a little different this year, to encourage more high school students to give the game a try.

It called for one registered player and one newcomer to the sport to make up a pair and win a place at the state title play-offs, by beating other school-based pairs in their bowls district.

13 of 19 districts in Queensland fielded a representative pair for All Schools, Brisbane (Craigslea SHS), Brisbane North (Pine Rivers SHS), Bundaberg-Port Curtis (Shalom College), Burnett (Burnett State College), Central Queensland (Rockhampton SHS), Downs (Centenary Heights SHS), Fraser Coast (Hervey Bay SHS), Mackay (Mackay SHS), North Queensland (St Anthony’s Catholic College Townsville), Southern Downs (Clifton SHS), Tropical Far North (Smithfield SHS), Gold Coast Tweed (Pacific Pines SHS), Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast Grammar).

Bowls Queensland development manager Brett Murphy said it was disappointing powerhouse districts like Cunningham and Gateway were unable to support a school-based team for All Schools this year.“They’ve got great junior development pathways, hopefully they’ll be able to support a pair to compete at All Schools in 2014,” Murphy said.

He also hoped to get a junior rep pair for 2014 from the smaller districts who didn’t compete this year, Caboolture, Condamine, North West and Maranoa-Warrego.

WINNING FORmuLA?

Jacinta Weier and Mitchel Styles: both played great bowls.

Pacific Pines girls, Paige Bailey and Michaela Bailey-Nelson.

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At fourteen years of age, Cooper Whitesyles is already making a name for himself on the bowls circuit. Yet, four months ago Cooper hadn’t played any serious competition bowls.

At this year’s State Multi-Disability Championship at Aspley Memorial Bowls Club, Cooper, a person of small stature, teamed up with fellow South Suburban Mackay club member Wally Foo.

While at the Championships the pair lost their first two games and draw the third, Wally wasn’t disheartened. “We were competitive in all three, with Cooper playing very well.”

Cooper “I enjoyed the experience, it was good to be here. It’s been good fun playing with Wally. I like to shout

‘Where’s Wally?’ when I can’t see him.” Despite being knocked out, Cooper was watching the Deaf bowlers intently, supporting his fellow players.

Wally is quite proud of his club mate. “He’s only been playing for four months, and he’s really picked up in the last month or so. Cooper’s enjoying every minute of it. He’s got great potential and a fantastic attitude.”

“Bev Rush and John Green do a fine job assisting Cooper,” adds Amy Nicol from the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association. Bev has been a volunteer and mentor in the Mackay region for over 24 years and runs weekly one on one coaching sessions at South Suburban Bowls Club.

“Cooper is very easy to work with, he’s so refreshing,” gushes Bev. Over time she’s worked out how to work best with Cooper, she’s helped him with his foot placement and in finding his own balance. The hard work is reaping dividends as he’s been on the winning team three times in the last four competitions.

“He wants to play constantly, I tell him he needs a day off!” says Bev, who also encourages Cooper to “keep on top of his schoolwork” between playing Monday and Friday.

Wally is a close fried of the Whitestyles family, his son-in-law and Cooper’s dad have a farm and Cooper gets up to mischief on the 170 ha property. “He goes out on the quad bikes and knocks about on the ute, he loves that.”

Not only does Cooper show talent for bowls, he’s also handy with a hockey stick, a cricket bat and enjoys his rugby league. He’s also got time for his family, currently cradling his mobile phone waiting for a call from his sister who is expecting to give birth any moment now.

Young Pialba bowler, Kiani Andersen, has enjoyed a highly successful year.

As a member of the Bowls Queensland U/25 squad, she played against New Zealand at the Gold Coast and the Test Series against New South Wales at West Toowoomba.

She was a member of the Wide Bay/Gympie District side which won Division 4 at this years event. Kiani also reached the Semi-Finals of the Singles at the State Championships.

At Club level she won the Mixed Fours, in the Ladies events she was a Runner-Up in the Championship Pairs and won the Championship Fours, Championship Triples and the highly coveted Championship Singles.

Her success continued in the Wide Bay Division Champion of Champions events, winning the Singles and going on to win

the Wide Bay/Gympie District Champion of Champions Singles.

The Group 5 Champion of Champions playoff resulted in wins over the Sunshine Coast and Burnett District representatives. Kiani will now contest the State Finals of the Champion of Champions to be held later in the year.

A great bowling season for Kiani Andersen

Cooper continues

to SHINE