International success for Ballan bowler

BALLAN Bowls Club’s Anne Draffen recently represented Australia at the Trans Tasman International Test in Pukekohe, New Zealand.

Draffen was the only Victorian player to be selected for the team which broke a 15-year drought by taking out the win.

“It was a huge honour to just be in the side selected to travel across to New Zealand especially as the only Victorian player,” she said.

“It’s something we’ve been working towards for a long time, really building our team and the rapport between everyone.”

Australia won the test with a score of 40 to New Zealand 26.

Draffen was part of the ladies fours along with Keisha Pearson as lead, Lynda Charles, and Monika Korn skippering.

The triples team had Draffen skippering along with Pearson leading and Charles.

Both teams took home the Australasian Medal.

President of the Ballan Bowls Club, David O’Hanlon, said the organisation was thrilled with Draffen’s success.

“It’s huge, it’s very special and she’s very well loved at the club by everybody,” he said.

“She never ceases to amaze us with her efforts in the bowls with the indoor competitions and the outdoor where she’s just as good.”

Draffen’s success and contributions to the club extend beyond this recent win.

“She’s been club champion the last three years in a row and gone on to be club champion of champions where she finished in the top four,” said Mr O’Hanlon.

“The list goes on and on with her and she’s still only very young so at the start of her career.

“She represents our club extremely well, she’s the captain of the team and the only female in the top team.

“She’s been a big driver behind the success of our top team.”

Draffen said community is at the heart of bowls and this drives her to continue supporting the club.

“Bowls at the end of a day is a community sport and being part of your community is something that’s really important to me,” she said.

“I play at Ballan, I represent the Ballan Bowls Club and I am really proud to do so.”