New kid on the block
WA’s Thomas Mitchell is the newest member of the Perth Suns and is ready to roll in APL02 Thomas Mitchell gets the chance of a lifetime when he steps into the Australian Premier League arena representing Bowls WA’s franchise, Perth Suns.
A bold move by Bowls WA to add more local flavour into their side, Western Australia’s Bowler of the Year was the obvious choice to join the mighty Perth Suns who were semi-finalist’s in the inaugural APL.
Mitchell will be one of the younger competitors in the APL; however his 16 years of bowling experience may come as a surprise to many.
The born and bred Western Australian took up bowls in a small country town after tagging along with his father whilst also juggling the demands of cricket; he will now play the sport he loves in front of a bustling live audience at Club Pine Rivers.
Thomas Mitchell is leaving no stone un-turned, knowing just how great an opportunity competing in Australia’s premier competition will be, and will no doubt be one of the greatest occasions in his bowling career.
A very humble Mitchell says it will be privilege to play alongside one of the best players in the world in Jeremy Henry and is grateful for Bowls WA’s invitation to represent the Perth Suns.
When Mitchell mics up for his first television appearance he will be joined by adopted ‘West Aussie’ Jeremy Henry and Western Australian star Clive Adams and together the Perth Suns will be taking on the Melbourne Roys live on Fox Sports. However the gruelling competition will have already kicked off earlier that morning with the Suns first game against defending champions Brisbane Gold then the Gold Coast Hawks, Murray Steamers and Sydney Lions to start day one.
With no easy games, Mitchell knows he will have to play at his best if Perth Suns are to take home the silverware and the $40,000 winner’s cheque. “I’m confident that the team we have can go as well if not better than last year, but I will need to play very well and help the guys out if we are to win,” Mitchell said.
Commonwealth Games gold medallist and coach of the Perth Suns Wayne Turley has high hopes for his team this year and believes Thomas Mitchell is a player to watch out for.
“After last year’s performance we can certainly deliver again this year, Clive will be better for the experience of APL01 and Tom is an up and coming player that will benefit from this sort of exposure, Jeremy loves the big time games, the TV and crowds and his enthusiasm will be passed on throughout the team,” Turley said.
With the biggest names in the sport all descending on Club Pine Rivers for APL02, Mitchell may be a small fish in a big pond but he is not fearful of the bowling legends he will come up against.
“There is not a bad player in the field but I’m not afraid, if anything I’m a little nervous about coming up against players that I haven’t played before, but everyone can be beaten,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell has gone above and beyond in his preparations for APL02 making a special trip to Club Pine Rivers to familiarize himself with the venue and practice on the greens; Mitchell joked that the viewing deck at Club Pine Rivers is the size of his whole club in WA.
“The venue was brilliant and the members were all very hospitable, the green was quick and wide and requires a lot of concentration,” Mitchell said.
With a clear picture of what he can expect in November, Mitchell is now utilizing Innaloo, a bowls club in WA that has a green similar to Club Pine Rivers that he can practice on in the months leading into the APL.
Mitchell used the opportunity to spend extra time practicing on the east coast leading into the Australian Champion of Champions and PBA as he hadn’t picked up a bowl for 4 months in WA’s off season.
Perth Sun’s may have the underdog status but with the whole of WA getting behind their side, they will be a team to watch out for.
The second instalment of the Australian Premier League kicks off on November 18-21 and can be viewed live on Fox Sports and Sky Sports NZ from 5:00pm-10:00pm AEST.
