What a fantastic 2017/2018 Nationals for the ‘Young Brigade’ - as they have been referred to in the press! Many of that brigade are current New Zealand Development squad members, along with some other promising ‘up and comers’ looking to stake a claim for possible future honours.

From my perspective, as Coach of New Zealand Development (and I know that our entire national coaching team will agree) it’s hugely satisfying, watching with pride the manner in which all squad members, and the other developing players that have achieved so much at this event, have performed on, and off green.

To recap, In the Singles event we saw current New Zealand Development squad members, Seamus Curtin and Ashleigh Jeffcoat progressing to 3rd equal in their respective competitions.

Caleb Hope and Tessa Hocking also made significant in-roads in the Singles, Caleb making his way to a 3rd equal finish, bowing out in a nailbiting match to eventual overall winner Shannon McIlroy. Tessa featured in the last eight quarter-finals, bowing out to eventual overall winner Jo Edwards in that quarter-final round.

The Pairs event saw four current New Zealand Development squad members - Bradley Down, Finbar McGuigan, Sheldon Bagrie-Howley and Seamus Curtin - feature in the quarter-finals, along with Dunedin Development players Callum Horwell and Nick Sinclair.

Not to be outdone, Ashleigh Jeffcoat paired up once again with her partner from last year, Dale Rayner, to try and put together back-to-back wins in this discipline, ultimately achieving a highly creditable 2nd placing.

In the fours, we saw more of the same from the ‘Young Brigade’ with players featuring in teams from quarter-finals forward. Current Development Squad members Sarah Scott and Natasha Russell both making appearances in quarter-final match-ups. For the men, current New Zealand Development squad member Rory Soden featured in the Mike Kernaghan-skipped four reaching 3rd equal position, with Brady Amer taking his spot in the Mike Solomon-skipped four, bowing out in their quarter-final challenge. Featuring three current and one former New Zealand Development squad members - the Sheldon Bagrie-Howley-skipped four of Jesse Russell, Seamus Curtin and Taylor Horn took their opportunities and played outstanding bowls to challenge for the overall win, bowing out graciously to the much fancied Ali Forsyth-skipped four.

Moving forward, what an exciting journey ahead for this ‘Young Brigade’! With our performance programmes providing opportunities for those developing players to continue to progress, our sport certainly looks in good shape.