Call to Arms for SA Based ADF Bowlers
During the month of October, Australian Defence Force Lawn Bowls Association (ADFLB) conducted its annual National Championship at the Windsor Bowling Club, Sydney NSW. 48 personnel from across the Tri-Services gathered in Sydney’s north-west for the week-long tournament, which included 3 South Australia based service personnel; Brent Marshall (Air Force – Salisbury BC), Louise Sumner (Army – Semaphore BC) and Joe Di Santo (Army – Murray Bridge BC).
With participation numbers down this year, particularly from South Australia, ADFLB are putting a “Call to Arms” for South Australia based ADF members, both permanent and reserve to boost its playing numbers for next year’s championship and beyond. The only requirement for members to attend is they need be fully registered members of an accredited Bowls Club.
The championship attracts bowlers of all skill levels from beginners, to premier league players, state and Australian representatives. The competition is broken into two competitions. A State / Territory Tri Service competition competing for the for Ian “Tug” Wilson trophy, followed by the National Inter- Service competition vying for the “Ian Johnson” National Trophy. Those members, who are not selected for their National Service team, still get to compete in a second-tier competition for the “Shakey Lake Plate”.
South Australia hasn’t had a stand-alone squad since 2019, however they will be gaining the playing services of Air Force’s Emma Campbell for next year’s championship and will be looking to build on the squad.
The South Australia trio formed part of the Barbarians squad and had a successful campaign finishing third in the State / Territory Tri Service competition. Marshall and Sumner were selected for their service and played in the National Inter- Service competition. Sumner was part of Army’s winning side breaking Army’s 6-year drought. Brent Marshall was successful in gaining selection in the ADF team. Joe Di Santo missed out on selection for the National Inter- Service competition, however he played in the” Shakey Lake Plate”, finishing 3rd.
Throughout the week, Bowls Australia state selectors are in attendance to select the ADF Lawn Bowls Representative Team, made up of 16 players with 4 reserves. This selected team closes out the competition on the Friday of the championships competing against a zone representative side. Additionally, team members get the opportunity to represent ADFLB at the following events; ANZAC Test Series vs QLD Chairman’s XII, Bowls Australia Australian Open, Soldiers Point 6 Way Challenge and the Remembrance Day vs Bowls ACT.
If you think the ADFLB annual National Championships is for you, it is held during on the 3rd Sunday to the following Friday in October each year. For more information, go to the Australian Defence Force Sports Facebook and Instagram pages. ADF members are encouraged to check out the ADFLB home page on the DRN or email adflawnbowls@dpe.protected.mil.au
Written and submitted by Joe Di Santo
