All roads lead to Soldiers Point Bowling Club later this month for the inaugural Jim Richardson Shield and a share of $12,000 in prizemoney.
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On the weekend of August 25 and 26 four sides will play a round robin for the coveted shield. Mr Richardson is the Soldiers Point long-time club president and a fierce advocate for the game of lawn bowls.
The Australian selectors have picked an emerging Jackaroos mixed team of 12, which will see current and future Australian representatives compete against three teams selected by the NSW selectors.
The NSW reserve team, which will include the next generation State players, the NSW over 40s team, providing a new age group of bowlers the chance to represent their state, and lastly the NSW senior side (over 60s) that has been chosen to play in the senior Australian Championships.
The senior team will use the Soldiers Point event as a final hit-out before taking on the other states in the nationals, said Soldiers Point bowls manager and event organiser Terry Antram.
“Following this event the club will host the Soldiers Point 12,000, featuring some of Australia’s best bowlers to compete in a two-day pairs tournament worth $12,000,” Antram said.
The event will be held Monday, August 27 and Tuesday, August 28.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games singles gold medalist Aaron Wilson will be the biggest drawcard. Wilson is playing with fellow Australian team member Ray Pearce.
Wilson was introduced to the game of bowls at the age of 11 and had always dreamed of one day representing his country. This dream came true when he took out the Australian open singles in front of family and friends and it is something he says he will never forget.
Wilson’s other achievements include being crowned a winner in the 2016 World Champion men’s pairs, 2016 World Bowls men’s fours silver medalist, and 2016 singles world junior champion.
Also at the event will be newly capped Aussie Jackaroos Ben Twist and Jesse Noronha.
Antram said that all club members were looking forward to the four days of action starting at 9am each morning.
“It’s not often that you get the chance to have 100 of the best bowlers in the country at your club for four days, all we need now is plenty of spectators to truly make this one of the best events on the Australian bowls calendar,” he said.
Soldiers Point Bowling Club has an undercover green and lighting, allowing bowls to be played rain, hail or shine and also at night.
