Aussies name new blood
Bowls Australia will blood three new under-18 representatives during this year's Junior Trans Tasman series in a bid to reassert its dominance over New Zealand in Adelaide.
Having relinquished the title for the first time last year- snapping a winning streak which stretched back to the tournament's inception in 2002- a re-shuffle has taken place, with star Victorian Dylan Fisher recalled after most recently participating in the under-25 series, while Queensland's Scott de Jongh, Western Australia's Kristina Krstic and South Australia's Renee McPharlin will make their debuts.
Following a three-day selection camp at Lockleys Bowling Club last month, which will host the competition from April 9 to 11, the Australian team was announced and is intent on making its mark against the Kiwis.
While Fisher is no stranger to the international arena, de Jongh's presence in the team is all the more remarkable after being born with Fanconi anemia, a rare blood disease which required the pint-sized Gold Coast teenager to undergo a bone marrow transplant when he was just 10.
"I was sort of doing cartwheels when I found out I was in the team," de Jongh said earlier today (11/1).
"Hopefully we can win the trophy back.
"I'm kind of lucky to be here. I just want to make the most of my opportunity."
Meanwhile, the Australian selectors have also confirmed that Victoria's Sam Shannahan will be given the opportunity to defend her under-25 Junior World Cup title at Warilla in April.
Having clinched silver in 2009, only to return victorious last year, Shannahan will seek a second triumph at the event and will be joined by St Johns Park's Ben Twist, who will pull on the green and gold for the first time at any level, in NSW later this year.
* * *
For further information phone:
Richard Goodbody - 0432 813 576
2011 Junior Trans Tasman team:
Scott de Jongh (Broadbeach, QLD), Dylan Fisher (Clayton, VIC),Kristina Krstic (Manning, WA) and Renee McPharlin (Balaklava, SA).
