Experience no barrier in #AusOpenGC
Four ladies from Western Sydney were not put off by the international standard of competition here at the Australian Open, they entered all three disciplines and are thrilled to be taking part in the world’s biggest festival of bowls. The Australian Open has bowlers from all over the country and internationally descending on the Gold Coast to compete in the world’s biggest festival of bowls, with experience no barrier for the four Sydney-siders who entered their first ever Australian Open.
Connie Smith, Annie Puia, Metua Teinaki and Rebecca Turnbull are all from various bowling clubs in Western Sydney and have come to the Gold Coast to compete in the Australian Open singles, pairs and fours competitions.
It’s the teams’ first attempt competing in an event of this large scale, an exciting opportunity for all the ladies to take part in the country’s most lucrative event here on the Gold Coast, including Turnbull who is fairly new to bowls after only taking up the sport 18 months ago.
Turnbull is from Marrickville Bowling Club which has three other competitors who have all travelled up from New South Wales, two of them already qualifying to the knockout stage in the singles.
The team are enthusiastic at the opportunity to be involved in such a world renowned competition, as Ms Smith said they all want to win but its most about enjoying the experience.
The Australian Open has also offered the chance to meet a wide community of people, with Turnbull citing the camaraderie of bowls as a major drawing card of the sport.
“There is a real buzz among the other competitors and we are all taking an interest in how they are going in their events; we connect with each other on Facebook and we are really enjoying the camaraderie,” Ms Turnbull said.
The diversity of the competition also was an added bonus, and the team is excited at the chance to play against bowlers of different ages, skill levels and also the possibility of coming up against some of the international teams.
The sunny Gold Coast has provided a great location for the players, enjoying the central location, fantastic bowling clubs and ease of transportation.
They have relished the occasion to learn more about what the Gold Coast has to offer and look forward to coming back and exploring more.
Turnbull organised a road trip with some fellow bowlers and drove up from Sydney, enjoying the opportunity to bond with friends and take in the scenery.
The team look forward to returning to the Australian Open next year, and even before this year’s competition has finished, they are already planning to get a larger contingency involved for next years Australian Open.
Caption- Western Sydney bowlers from left to right, Connie Smith, Annie Puia, Metua Teinaki and Rebecca Turnbull.
