Interstate Test-Series a first for Para bowls
5th August, 2024.
Today marks the commencement of an inaugural Interstate Test Series between VIC & NSW in the Para format, the first of it’s kind ever in Australian Bowls!
Para Bowls has been very prevalent in Australia since the early 2010’s. It was announced that Vision Impaired Mixed Pairs and Open Para (Physical) Triples was to be included in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, after an absence at an International level, and the Para component of bowls has gone on to grow ever since.
There has always been a National Championship, initially run by Disability Bowls Australia, now run and governed by Bowls Australia, where the nation’s best Para bowlers compete against each other. But outside of that, there has never been an opportunity for States to compete against each other, there has never been an Interstate Para Test Series, until now.
The Para Test Series initiative was conceived by NSW Para bowler and World Champion James Reynolds, and VIC Para bowler and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Josh Thornton. Both approached their respective State bodies to discuss the opportunity of including an Interstate Test Series on the State bowls calendars. Both Bowls NSW and Bowls Victoria came together with Reynolds and Thornton to thrash out the idea, and the rest is history.
The format will see three male Para bowlers and three female Para bowlers compete against each other in a 3-Test Series. Each of the respective teams must include a B5/6 bowler (someone who is more impaired). The other two bowlers can be of any classification. In each Test, the teams will play Triples in the first leg, they will then split into Singles and Pairs formats. As part of this new event format, every one of the team members will play Singles, ensuring that the mandatory B5/6 bowler plays Singles against the opposing team’s B5/6 in one of those Tests.
| 2024 MEN’S PARA SQUAD | |
|---|---|
| Josh Barry | Clayton |
| Josh Thornton | Murray Downs |
| Lucas Protopapas | Heathmont |
| 2024 WOMEN’S PARA SQUAD | |
|---|---|
| Gwen Fabris | Garfield |
| Alison East | Hamilton |
| Annette Ruffle | Heathmont |
Both Bowls NSW and Bowls Vic are really proud of the format of this Series and it’s inclusiveness. Currently, at international level, the Para format is 14-point Pairs (Para classifications range from B5 – B8). This means that a very competitive Para player could potentially miss out on selection, owing to the fact that a pairing can’t exceed 14 points. Additionally, at international level, athletes will only play in one event. The format that has been developed for the Para State Test Series ensures that a more impaired bowler can be selected, by having the requirement to include a B5/6 bowler as part of the team. So regardless of a bowler’s classification, if you are good enough, you can make the side. Providing athletes the chance to compete in two events across the 3-Test Series sees the Para event become more meaningful.
We hope to see other States take the same initiative and consider participating in a Para Test Series around the country. Looking ahead there may also be the capacity to grow the event to also include Vision Impaired of Para Bowlers.
We congratulate James and Josh on developing this event concept and getting the two State bodies on board. We wish all Para bowlers participating in the inaugural event good bowling, and we especially wish our Vic’s every success.
Matches / Results: https://bit.ly/VICvNSW_2024
GO VICS!
