Three local bowlers earn national team call up

The dreams for local Mount Gambier indoor bowlers Fiona Pearson, Keisha Pearson and Serena Bourn have been realised with their selection in the Australian Indoor Bias Bowls team.

Mount Gambier District Indoor Bowls Association bowlers Fiona Pearson, Keisha Pearson, Serena Bourn and Zac Pearson took part in three days of intense trials in Ballarat earlier this year, playing in front of the Australian selectors, who then select the national team.

Zac missed out on selection but Fiona, Keisha and Serena were selected to be a part of the Australian team – the only South Australian players to earn the call up.

Only seven men and seven ladies are selected to form the Australian Test team so to have three representative from the local association is an outstanding effort.

Fiona, Keisha and Serena all took on the challenge of converting their play from a standard 30ft carpet to the international 24ft carpet and in the end, it arguably helped with their performance as they all favour playing a short end.

Australia competes in a Trans Tasman test against New Zealand every two years and both countries hold the test on a rotating basis. This year the test is to be held in Pukekohe New Zealand, on May 9-11.

Fiona was excited to be selected for a fourth time to represent Australia, with her daughter Keisha representing her country for the second time.

Serena was jubilant when she was selected to debut in the Australian team.

Fiona will be playing lead in eight bowls mixed pair’s team with Kyle French from Queensland, who has won many gold medals for Australia in his past test appearances. She then doubles up and represents Australia playing Ladies Singles.

Keisha will play as a lead in the Ladies Triples team with Lynda Charles (Tas) (second) and Anne Draffen (Vic) skippering.

Keisha will then double up leading in the Ladies Fours team with Lynda Charles (Tas) (second) Anne Draffen (Vic) (third) and Monica Korn (NSW) skippering.

Serena will represent her country as a reserve.