Maddie’s moment: Anglesea teen selected to Bowls nationals

AN Anglesea lawn bowler will step onto her biggest stage to date this October when she competes in Australia’s junior National Championships, following selection to Victoria’s Under 18 state team.

17-year-old Maddison Jacobs will head to Western Australia to compete in the Australian Under 18 Championships as part of the nationals schedule.

The championships take place on October 6-7 at Sorrento Bowling Club and will feature the best young lawn bowlers in the country.

Jacobs said she was overcome with emotion when her mother, Sarah, broke the selection news to her on July 17.

“I started crying when she told me I had been selected, but once I processed the news, it has been nothing but excitement ever since,” Jacobs said.

“It’s my last year in Under 18s as well and I’ve been working towards this goal since I started lawn bowls four years ago.

“Once I turn 18, I’ll be able to compete at the top level.”

Jacobs began bowling in October of 2019 at Anglesea Bowling Club.

She quickly found success in the sport, securing a runner-up finish at the 2020/21 and 2021/22 club championships, as well as a win at the club minor championship in 2020/21.

Jacobs was crowned the Geelong Bowls Region Under 18 singles champion in 2022, before moving to Ocean Grove Bowling Club in April last year.

She then won the club championship women’s pairs 2023 title as captain and has been a member of the Schools Sport Victoria bowls team the past two years.

More recently, Jacobs competed in the 2023 Bowls Victoria Under 18 state titles and debuted for Victoria in the Under 18 side at the tri-series tournament against Queensland and New South Wales in July 2023

Turning 18 in November, “Maddie” was drawn to the sport thanks to her late great grandparents Len and Peg Cockerill, who she would watch for hours.

Len Cockerill was a life member at Anglesea Bowls Club.

Jacobs says she hopes to represent Australia one day.