SA Debuts at Australian Defence Force Nationals and will Host the 2025 National Championships
Written by Joe Di Santo
A first for South Australia making its debut as a stand-alone side at last month’s Australian Defence Force (ADF) Lawn Bowls (ADFLB) National Championship at the Windsor Bowls and Sports Club, Sydney NSW.
In another first for ADFLB, South Australia successfully applied for the hosting rights of the ADFLB National Championships. This is the first time since its inception of the competition almost 40 years ago the championships have moved from the Eastern States.
Salisbury Bowling Club will host the ADFLB National Championship over the period 19 -24 October 2025. SA’s aim is to make it the best Championships possible. ADFLB are calling out to all South Australian Serving Bowling Members of all skill levels across the Tri Services both permanent /reserve to get to Salisbury to play and support the event.
ADFLB’s recruiting drive is starting to pay off, last year SA had 3 representatives at the championships This year 8 current serving bowlers from across the state proudly represented the state, the Air Force and Army. Another four bowlers from New South Wales balanced out the squad.
The State squad was an inexperienced squad in comparison to other states, featuring 6 novice bowlers and a number of bowlers steppingup, playing in unfamiliar roles, competing for the Tri Service State Trophy, known as the “Tug Wilson” Trophy
Although up against it, the team punched well above their weight. Air Force’s Patrick Lee from the Kensington Marryatville Bowling Club stepped up from his usual number 2 role to play Skipper winning 3 out of 4 games causing some upsets along the way. Air Force’s Richard Stonyer also stepped up to Skipper from his usual role as a third at the Salisbury Bowling Club.
While expectations were not high for the SA Squad they did finish a modest 4th out of 5 teams with all bowlers gaining valuable knowledge and experience that they will take away with them back to their local Club’s.
Happy Valley Bowling Club’s David Williams was selected as a reserve for the Army Team to compete in the National Service championship.
Patrick Lee, Richard Stonyner and Salisbury Bowling Club’s Brent Marshall were selected to represent the Air Force. Marshall was also selected for the ADF team and was named player of the series.
Players who did not gain selection in their respective Service teams, moved in the second-tier competition, known as the “Shakey Lake Plate”. This competition was competed in a triples format with mixed results for SA bowlers. Adelaide Bowling Club’s Ryan O’Daly and David Williams just missed out on making the semi-finals, Semaphore Bowling Club’s Louise Sumner and Payneham Bowling Club’s Venkatesh Gopal finished a respectable 3rd, and Joe Di Santo of the Murray Bridge Bowling Club was runner up.
This year saw an increase in participation numbers over the previous two years, but once again, the ADFLB are putting out a “call to arms” for ADF registered bowlers, both permanent /reserve to grow their playing numbers for next year’s Championships.
The championships cater for bowlers of all skill levels from beginners to Australia representatives and everyone in-between. The week is broken into State Tri-Service competition for the first 2 ½ days followed by the National Inter- service competition for the next 1 ½ days, culminating with the selected ADF representative team playing on the last day of competition.
For more information go to the Defence intranet http://collab/JCG/Org/JSSD/ADFSC/ADF_Lawn_Bowls or email adflawnbowls@dpe.protectected.mil.au
