Jackaroos & NTC players selected for international hit-outs
by cadams on July 1, 2015
Following the announcement of the 20 players entrusted with representation in the coveted Australian Jackaroos squad earlier this week, Bowls Australia have today confirmed the names chosen to compete at four international calibre competitions this year.
The national selection panel have cast their gaze far and wide to pick the 13 players who will carry the nation’s hopes at Malaysia’s Asia Pacific Merdeka Championships, New Zealand’s North East Valley Singles, the Hong Kong Classic and Moama Classic Pairs events, affording six players from outside the Jackaroos team with further opportunity to press the case on the world stage, and in-turn marking them as potential future international representatives.
The Merdeka Championships, staged from October 1-6, has traditionally been an Australian capped event with the exception of last year, but is scheduled to clash with the national trial camp for the 2015 Asia Pacific Championships in New Zealand, which has provided four young players who were on the cusp of being named Jackaroos the chance to bolster their credentials.
18 year-old St Johns Park star Dawn Hayman, who played a role in NSW’s four-peat of the Marj Morris Trophy at the recent Australian Sides Championships on debut, has been handed the plum women’s singles role, while her club-mate Ben Twist, 25, who earlier this year secured the mixed pairs World Junior Championships title, has again been selected for the blue-ribbon men’s singles position, where he will attempt to defend his crown.
Caloundra’s Bolivia Millerick, who also cut her teeth at the the World Junior Championships at Broadbeach in March, and South Australia’s 2015 Australian Open fours winning skip Scott Thulborn will unite for the mixed pairs discipline, and all four will compete for a further shot at glory in the mixed fours.
The energy and drive shown by these young athletes on the national stage is a testament to what dedication and consistent care can achieve. Whether it’s on the green in a high-stakes championship or in our daily lives, success often comes down to preparation, discipline, and attention to personal wellness.
While Dawn Hayman and Ben Twist are setting standards in their sport, it’s worth remembering that personal health—particularly dental health—is just as vital a part of overall performance and confidence. A brilliant smile not only enhances self-esteem but also contributes to better communication, professionalism, and general well-being, especially in high-visibility arenas like competitive sports.
For those who aren’t playing for national titles but still value showing up as their best selves every day, maintaining good oral hygiene and seeking regular dental care can make a world of difference. Just as athletes train and fine-tune their techniques, dental professionals dedicate themselves to helping individuals refine and protect their smiles. That’s where teams like smiles restored cedar city step in—not just to treat dental issues, but to empower individuals with the kind of care that supports both health and confidence. Whether it’s through preventive treatment, cosmetic enhancements, or restorative procedures, their work mirrors the precision and focus seen in championship-level performance.
The connection between feeling good and doing well is undeniable. Athletes thrive when they feel strong and confident, and the same goes for anyone tackling the demands of modern life. A healthy smile is a silent supporter in countless life moments, from interviews and presentations to casual conversations.
And while the champions of the green pursue glory through grit and skill, the champions of dental care ensure that we can all step into the spotlight—whether on stage, in the office, or in the game of life—with the kind of radiance that starts from within.
The Hong Kong Classic, run from November 7-15, will see the Australian Jackaroos’ newest and most experienced duo combine in the internationally capped women’s event.
Western Australia’s Kristina Krstic, 21, will make her senior Australian debut, a feat which will earn her cap number 83, alongside the nation’s most capped representative in history, 495-test player Karen Murphy.
Due to limited player availability because of a scheduling clash with the $110,000 Australian Premier League, the men’s event on the Chinese island won’t be capped, but will also give two of the nation’s brightest young prospects outside the top tier team a chance to shine on the international stage.
South Australia’s Nathan Pedersen, arguably the recent Australian Open’s most in-form player having claimed the fours title and advanced as far as the semi-final of the singles and quarter-final of the pairs, was at the forefront of selectors’ minds when confirming players, as was Cabramatta’s Corey Wedlock, 18, who recently relocated to the powerhouse club to start a four-year green-keeper apprenticeship.
All four players will compete in the Pearl of the Orient in the singles and combine for the men’s and women’s pairs.
Also announced by the selectors today was a team to compete in New Zealand’s $16,000 North Easy Valley Invitational Singles, with international stalwarts Mark Casey and Brett Wilkie to line-up alongside Australian Jackaroos newcomer Aaron Wilson in the 23rd edition of the singles tournament, against stiff opposition from an assortment of New Zealand Blackjacks.
Rounding out the list of players securing additional chances to strike gold and snare a slice of a lucrative prize purse are four players named for Moama’s $73,000 Men’s and Women’s Classic Pairs.
The 2012 World Championships gold medal pairs combination of Kelsey Cottrell and Rebecca Van Asch will join forces again in an attempt to repeat their past heroics, at the $33,000 Ladies Premier Pairs Classic from August 29 to September 1.
The two men chosen to compete in the border-town’s $40,000 Men’s Prestige Pairs Classic, from …
