Bowls Blitz is Back
The 2023 Bowls Blitz is set to return at the Sorrento Bowling Club on Sunday 2nd July with a few changes from previous years.
If you are looking for a place to watch some of the best bowls of the year, from many of the best bowlers in WA in singles, pairs, triples, and fours then Sorrento is the place to be on Sunday for the first day of the Blitz.
The number of franchises has been reduced from 8 to 6 but the size of those teams has been increased from 8 players to 10 players, meaning a similar number of players are involved.
In previous years only 6 of the 8 players were on the green at any one time, but this year all 10 players will play every round, while still keeping the concept of playing singles, pairs, triples, and fours throughout the day.
After a record number of player nominations for this year’s event, the State Selection Panel has put together six sides of ten players, as well as appointing 6 independent managers. In previous years, the state selectors and coaches took control of a franchise but having appointed managers will allow the selection members to watch all players over all three days of the Blitz.
The AFGRI Chargers are being managed by the recently crowned coach of the year, Kelli Wray. Kelli will have both of last season’s best players at the National Side Series with Kristina Krstic and Anthony Williams at her disposal. Krstic will miss a Blitz day due to other commitments but the Chargers squad is well-balanced to overcome such a huge loss. Stewart Gosstray recently qualified for the Australian Indoor Singles so the squad is full of in-form players.
Dave Rankin is not available for State Selection this season, so has put up his hand to take control of the Liquor Traders Pirates. Led by Cody Packer, who is unavailable for week 1, this squad has a mixture of experience and up-and-coming talent to be very competitive. Jack East is the 2023 Men’s Champion of Champion Singles winner and Jill Adam is a recent State Triples Champion to add depth to the Pirates. Russell Bates and Linda Warburton have been great State players over the last few years and Sean Mawdsley was a member of last season’s Blitz Champions.
BWA Academy Coach Geoff Watson has been appointed to lead the GenesisCare Enforcers. Daniel Trewhella has made himself available for State Team selection and is sure to be an asset to the Enforcers in this season’s Blitz. Along with Hailey Packer, who always performs at this level, the Enforcers have a great squad to be pushing for a finals position. Lisa Smith and Scott Walker are hard to beat in any tournament and are sure to get the rinks off to a good start in the front-end positions.
Stephen Beckwith has stepped up to lead a very experienced Dyenamic Cyclones team. Bill Brandsma, Clive Adams, and Donna Blackwell (missing the first day) along with last seasons’s best Over 60’s player at the National Series, Jerome Clayton lead the team. Throw in country champ Shane Giudice-Nairn and recent State Mixed Pairs Champion Brad Gillingham and the Cyclones have all bases covered for a run at finals.
The Senior Recreation Council (SRC) Sharpshooters have been taken over by Bruce Eagles for this season’s Blitz. Recently crowned Connie Hicks winner Chris Ace-Watson, along with Manning Premiership Stars Shane Knott and Blake Butler will provide a lot of firepower for Bruce. Throw in Country Bowler of the Year winner, Warren Holt (missing the first day) and the Sharpshooters will be hard to beat.
The Professionals Stars have appointed Ian Hastings to lead them to finals glory this season. Lisa Featherby and Blake Nairn, who has recently returned to WA, will lead the team on the green. Last season’s Countryweek Fours winning skipper Joel Leeson returns to the Blitz along with Under 18 Champion Callum Alberti who are sure to make a significant contribution.
With a cool but sun-shine-filled week, the Sorrento Bowling Club will be ready to welcome all players and spectators on Sunday, so get down to watch some of the best bowls in WA all year.
