Double trouble
If you think you’ve been seeing double, fair chance you have probably seen Natalie and Samantha Noronha at a bowls event near you.
The 19 year old twins formally from Warilla, now based out of powerhouse club Merrylands, are members of the NSW/ACT NTC Squad pushing for their chance to crack the big time.
Both twins had outstanding junior careers in NSW and earned their spot in the NSW/ACT NTC Squad three years ago.
Natalie will next week represent the Australian High Performance Ladies Team at the East Cessnock 5 a Side as reward for achievements in U’25’s and her ongoing commitment to the NTC training program.
Natalie knows the opportunity that has been bestowed on her to play alongside some of Australia’s best female bowlers and against the world’s best male bowlers is also a chance to move a step closer to achieving her dreams.
“Well it’s certainly a big opportunity for me to compete in such a top quality event and I’m thoroughly looking forward to the opportunity of leading for Australian representatives Anne Johns and Rebecca Van Asch,” Miss Natalie Noronha said.
“I think the women’s team has potential to achieve good results at the 5 a Side as long as the lead (herself) can get us off to a good start.”
Playing with and against the best players in the country will be a great learning experience for a rising star of the sport and perhaps a greater opportunity looms if the High Performance Ladies Team was to draw Club Mount Lewis, the home club for Australian National Coach Steve Glasson and Australian Assistant Coach Gary Willis.
“It would be great to show the coaches that they have taught me too much and I’m sure the girls would enjoy the bragging rights,” Miss Natalie Noronha said.
At the beginning of 2015, the twins changed clubs and are now based out of one of Sydney’s strongest women’s bowling clubs, Merrylands.
Samantha said it was a tough decision to leave Warilla who had been very supportive during their junior careers however she is looking forward to what the future holds at Merrylands.
“Having a change will be as good as a holiday especially when you get to play with the likes of Val Smith and Jo Edwards,” Miss Samantha Noronha said.
“We have felt very welcomed at Merrylands and look forward to playing with and against some of the world’s best in one of the strongest regions for women’s bowls in Australia.”
Victorian sensation Samantha Shannahan has also joined Merrylands and was a late inclusion to the High Performance Ladies Team for the East Cessnock 5 a Side.
Both Samantha and Natalie agree that being part of the NSW/ACT NTC Squad and working with Australian Assistant Coach Gary Willis is giving them confidence they are moving a step closer to achieving their goal to one day represent Australia.
The pair train hard, completing their required drills per month for the NTC Squad and often play against one another for match practice leading into major events.
The girls were coached by World Singles Champion Leif Selby and are grateful for the time he dedicated to helping them get to where they are today.
“Leif has achieved a lot in bowls and has been instrumental in teaching us the mental and tactical side of the game,” Miss Natalie Noronha said.
Setting goals is an important part in developing your game the twins not only have the long term goal of representing Australia at the 2020 World Championships on the Gold Coast, but they also have short term goals for 2015.
“My goal for this year is I’d like to win the club singles at my new club Merrylands and go on and win the champ of champs,” Miss Natalie Noronha said.
Natalie is on her way to achieve her goal after defeating her twin sister Samantha in the first round; therefore holding bragging rights until their next much anticipated match-up.
“I’d like to continue getting selected in the NSW U’25 side and to qualify for the first time for …
