The Territory Tenpin Bowling Disability team are aiming for another national title when they head to Queensland this week

THE Territory’s Tenpin Bowling Disability team is aiming for another national title ahead of the 32nd National Tenpin Bowling Disability Championships at Mt Gravatt Zone Bowling in Queensland

The Territory's tenpin bowlers with a disability are headed to Brisbane for the nationals. Picture: Jenny Tiernan

THE Territory’s Tenpin Bowling Disability team is aiming for another national title ahead of the 32nd National Tenpin Bowling Disability Championships at Mt Gravatt Zone Bowling in Queensland.

The 16 Territorians from both Darwin and Alice Springs will compete against over 300 bowlers from across the country, except SA and WA who withdrew due to COVID concerns.

Darwin bowlers have had to adapt to the challenge of training at a different centre following the closure of Planet Tenpin.

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Coach Kaye Talbot said the whole squad were excited to compete in the Championships once again after the 2020 iteration was postponed.

“The bowlers are excited to finally have the opportunity to compete at the Nationals again,” Kaye said.

“Many of the bowlers will be competing at a higher level than previous years.”

The prestigious Cole Cup and Open Cup are the highlight of the 10 day Championships.

The Territory has an outstanding record of success in the Cole Cup winning eight titles from the past 12 years.

2021 also comes as the second year in which the NT has competed in the Open Cup with the bowlers eager to aim for gold.

NT Tenpin Bowling Association president Janine Matheson said the squad were well prepared for the upcoming titles despite the loss of their training home.

“The Territory has a long and proud history at the National Disability Tenpin Bowling Championships, winning the title eight times in the past 12 years,” Matheson said.

“It is wonderful to see the enjoyment that the bowlers gain from being able to participate in the sport of tenpin bowling and the passion they play with is second to none.

“It is so very sad for these bowlers that there is no longer a home for competitive tenpin bowling in Darwin, but we still hope that may change. These bowlers just cannot get enough of the sport.”

TeamNT 2021: Richard Bowden, (Alice Springs); Amanda Hintz, Amanda Rogers, Kate Copley, Karen Klose, Lisa Tiernan, Michelle Christensen, Chris Cooper, Jyrah Sammut, Malakai Sammut, Nathan Ware, Shannon Ware, Luke Purtill, Christos Karagiorgos, Richard Knuth, Enrique Balatero (Darwin).