Katherine Rednall and Ellen Falkner will both be seeking success for the ‘Rest of the World’ in the inaugural World Bowls Challenge that commences tomorrow.
The event, between Australia’s all-conquering Jackaroos and a hand-picked Rest of the World side, is the newest international bowls ‘major’ – based on golf’s iconic Ryder Cup.
An exciting ten-a-side format, it will be staged over two days at the magnificent Moama Bowling Club in Australia and will see some of the best world and Commonwealth champions battle against each other.
Substituting for World Bowls president John Bell, who was unable to attend because of illness, Rest of the World coach Gary Smith, the chief executive of World Bowls, and a former international champion in his own right, added: ‘I’m proud to be coaching this amazing group, this is bowls at its dizziest heights – spectators here in the stadium and viewers at home are in for a real treat.’
Falkner and Rednall will be joined by New Zealand’s Jo Edwards MNZN, South Africa’s Colleen Piketh and Canada’s Kelly McKerihen as part of the star-studded line-up.
The team will be captained by six-times Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alex Marshall MBE, who will enjoy the company of his Scottish compatriot Darren Burnett, New Zealand’s Shannon McIlroy, Canada’s Ryan Bester and Ireland’s Gary Kelly as part of the 10-a-side event.
The Jackaroos, coached by legendary Aussie Steve Glasson and coming off two weeks of sustained success on Australia’s Gold Coast, comprises: Men: Barrie Lester (Qld), Aron Sherriff (Qld), Aaron Teys (NSW), Corey Wedlock (NSW) and Aaron Wilson (NSW). Women: Kelsey Cottrell (Qld), Karen Murphy (NSW), Ellen Ryan (NSW), Natasha Scott (NSW) and Bec Van Asch (Tas).
Action will begin with mixed triples, followed by men’s pairs, women’s pairs, then mixed pairs, and conclude with ten singles matches (five men’s and five women’s) staged across staggered starts.
UK residents will be able to watch coverage on Bowls Australia’s Facebook page from 6am-11am GMT (Friday 29th November) and 1.30am-6.30am GMT (Saturday 30th November).
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Photograph of Rest of the World team:
Back row: Darren Burnett, Shannon McIlroy, Jo Edwards, Ryan Bester, Gary Kelly
Seated: Kelly McKerihen, Katherine Rednall, Alex Marshall, Gary Smith, Ellen Falkner, Colleen Piketh.