Bowls New Zealand has sent a strong line-up to the 2018 World Youth Championships on the Gold Coast, including 2 Commonwealth Games representatives.
Katelyn Inch and Tayla Bruce will make their Commonwealth Games debuts at Inch’s adopted home – the Broadbeach Bowls Club in just 39 days.
First though, the women will spend the next 7 days further familiarising themselves on the host club’s greens, participating in the World Youth Championships, in what is ideal international preparation.
Joining Inch and Bruce in the under 25 age grade event held from February 24 to March 2 are their male counterparts Rory Soden and Keanu Darby.
All four players will play singles within their gender and then team up for the Mixed Pairs – Bruce with Darby, while Inch will skip Soden.
Rain on the Gold Coast has forced a slight reshuffle of the tournament schedule, with the Mixed Pairs to be played on the first two days of competition, with four rounds per day. Singles will commence on Monday 26th February.
Giving nothing away, Tayla Bruce refuses to identify where the main challenges will come from.
“I go into every game expecting that my opposition will perform. They have been selected to represent their countries and anyone can come out and give you a tough game.”
“The greens are different to home, and because this event and the Commonwealth Games are long tournaments, I have been concentrating on my fitness in preparation.”
In reality, expect Australia with their home green advantage to feature prominently.
Ellen Ryan, Chloe Stewart and Kristina Krstic in the women’s and Aaron Teys and Corey Wedlock in the men’s have all medalled in this event in previous years.
Canada’s Pricilla Westlake is also back to defend her women’s singles title, after knocking Bruce out in last year’s Quarter Final 21-16.
At the time of writing, Tayla Bruce & Keanu Darby have won both their games completed today, whilst Rory Soden & Katelyn Inch have lost both of their games.
Further regular updates of the World Youth Championships will be provided from Broadbeach.
World Youth Championships, Day 1 – Mixed Pairs
Section 1
New Zealand Tayla Bruce, Keanu Darby beat Canada Carah Webster, Cameron Lefresne 14-13
New Zealand Tayla Bruce, Keanu Darby beat Papua New Guinea Piwena Karkar, Gariga Babona 18-11
Section 2
New Zealand Rory Soden, Katelyn Inch lost to Hong Kong China Angel So, James Po 12-18
New Zealand Rory Soden, Katelyn Inch lost to Australia Ellen Ryan Aaron Teys 11-21
