Meet 15 NSW lawn bowls superstars in action at the State Championships in Wollongong
Over the next two weeks Wollongong will host some of Australia’s best lawn bowls superstars at the NSW State Championships. With a host of Comm Games medallists, here’s 15 stars to watch.
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New South Wales’ finest bowlers are in Wollongong for the State Championships starting on Thursday, July 20.
Representing their clubs, players have qualified through District, Zone and Regional Championships and now have the opportunity to taste state glory.
The men's and women’s events will be held at the same time, marking a historic first in NSW sports history, with 52 new champions set to be crowned.
Events runs until August 1 across three venues at Figtree Sports, Towradgi Park, and Wiseman Park Wollongong City.
All matches will be streamed live via the Bowls NSW Facebook page and YouTube channel.
With a host of the nations best talent and rising stars on show, we’ve reached out to those in the know at Bowls NSW to identify 15 of the best.
PETER TAYLOR (WESTPORT – MEN’S SENIOR TRIPLES)
When it comes to NSW Senior State Championships, there isn’t much that Peter hasn’t won. In two years, he’s amassed four senior titles along with a runner-up finish.
Competing again in the Senior Triples after winning back-to-back titles, Peter is one to keep an eye on as he chases a coveted hat-trick.
SARAH BODDINGTON (FORSTER – WOMEN’S STATE SINGLES, PAIRS & FOURS)
Sarah is the defending Women’s State Singles champion and is no stranger to success in this format, having won the event on three separate occasions. Affectionately known as ‘Boddo’, the Forster representative will be hard to beat.
NATASHA VAN ELDIK (RAYMOND TERRACE – WOMEN’S STATE SINGLES, PAIRS, TRIPLES & FOURS)
A two-time Commonwealth Games and five-time World Championship gold medallist, Tash has rewritten the history books when it comes to bowls. She has won a record 16 Women’s state titles including a clean sweep of the Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours in 2017.
Tash started bowls at a young age after being a victim of bullying. She took to the greens to help overcome the issues, and has long been a passionate advocate for children in sport. With her success on the greens, she’s well and truly proven her doubters wrong.
KAY MORAN (FIGTREE SPORTS – WOMEN’S STATE SINGLES & TRIPLES)
Kay is a Scottish international and dual Comm Games silver medallist who has made Australia her unofficial second home. Playing out of Figtree Sports who are hosting the State Championships, Kay will be hoping the home ground advantage and support of the local crowds lifts her to a winning performance.
KENTA TREACHER (ST JOHNS PARK – MEN’S STATE TRIPLES)
Another international representative, Kenta has been a longstanding member of the Japanese national team, playing in several World Championship events. Towering at over six foot tall, Kenta is easily recognisable by his long, smooth delivery on the mat.
MASON LEWIS (ENGADINE – MEN’S STATE TRIPLES)
Mason is a current NSW representative with a big future in the sport. He’s already tasted success in the State Championships, winning the Men’s State Fours in 2019. Don’t let his quiet demeanour fool you, this Shire local is one of the most competitive players in the world of bowls.
GENEVIEVE DELVES (RAYMOND TERRACE – WOMEN’S STATE PAIRS, TRIPLES & FOURS)
Gen is a gifted athlete, having represented Australia in three sports – lawn bowls, soccer and rugby union. Before taking up bowls, she was an Australian Schoolgirls representative in soccer, and represented Australia in the 1998 and 2002 Rugby World Cups. Her success on the sporting field has translated to bowls, where in her first few years she has won nine state championships and an Australian Indoor Singles title.
She will team up with clubmate Tash Van Eldik for the State Champs and is definitely one to watch.
GLENDA DAAL (ADAMINABY – WOMEN’S STATE TRIPLES)
From the town of Adaminaby tucked away in the Snowy Mountains region of NSW, Glenda and her small but mighty club have become fan favourites after featuring in several finals in recent years.
Despite combating local greens that often freeze over, the committed club still manage to hold their own on the big stage.
REX JOHNSTON (TUNCURRY BEACH – MEN’S SENIOR TRIPLES)
Rex is one of the most decorated lawn bowlers in Australian history, having represented his country from 1988-2004. He amassed over 300 appearances in the green and gold and is the only bowler to feature in four consecutive Comm Games.
While he doesn’t compete as often nowadays, he is still able to show why he is considered one of the best to ever grace a bowling green.
Rex is also currently on the Bowls NSW selection panel, giving his opponents extra motivation to deliver their best.
CARL HEALEY (CABRAMATTA – MEN’S STATE PAIRS)
Carl is a current NSW and Australian representative, and lays claim to six Men’s State titles. His recent silver medal finish at the Birmingham Comm Games shows he is still at the peak of his powers.
Playing out of Cabramatta and originally from Penrith, he’s a proud Western Sydney boy and will be hoping to replicate the success of his beloved Penrith Panthers.
COREY WEDLOCK (WARILLA – MEN’S STATE PAIRS)
From a young age Corey has been earmarked for success. And at 27 he has already achieved so much, including representing Australia at the Comm Games in Birmingham.
A natural talent, he will be hard to beat in the State Pairs when he teams up with clubmate and Irish international representative Gary Kelly.
LEE STINSON (WARILLA – MEN’S STATE SINGLES & TRIPLES)
Lee has been a consistent performer in the State Champs for many years, having played for country clubs Blayney and Orange before moving to Warilla. He also holds an unfortunate record known as a ‘reverse grand slam’ – finishing runner-up in the Men’s State Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours Championships. He will certainly be hoping he can go one better this year in the Singles and Triples.
Off the green Lee continues to impress, having recently taken on the role of Sport Executive Manager with Bowls NSW.
KAREN MURPHY AM (CABRAMATTA – WOMEN’S STATE PAIRS & FOURS)
Karen Murphy is widely known as one of the best bowlers to ever play the sport. She represented Australia for 23 years amassing a record 646 caps for her country. She has won championships at every level and been at the top of her game for nearly 30 years.
Karen is currently the Australian Jackaroos Assistant Coach, but she is still able to compete at the highest level, and will be confident of achieving more success in Wollongong.
ELLEN FALKNER MBE (CABRAMATTA – WOMEN’S STATE PAIRS & FOURS)
Ellen has played international level bowls for England for many years, accruing three gold medals across three Comm Games and multiple World titles. Teaming up with Aussie legend Karen Murphy in the Women’s Pairs and Fours, they promise to be a formidable combination.
Having recently moved to Australia, Ellen is already giving back to the sport, serving as the Manager of Australia’s Para Jackaroos squad.
LEE SCHRANER (RAYMOND TERRACE – MEN’S STATE FOURS)
Lee has won State Championship titles in Tasmania and Victoria and is now on track to repeat the dose in NSW. He won the 2019 World Champion of Champion Singles gold medal, so knows what it’s like to compete at the highest level.
With a level of concentration and commitment that few can match, Lee is a brilliant competitor and has even written and published a book on the secrets to his success, In The Zone II: Secrets of A World Champ.
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