Gecko’s at Sunbury

Gippsland Geckos at Club Sunbury for the Kneebone Tournament
Four members of the GBR Junior Development Squad were selected to form the first
Gippsland Geckos Under 18 Squad to compete in the Doug Kneebone Under 18
Tournament on Friday 23 September at Club Sunbury.
Tom Roberts, Leah McLeish, Ayla Romanin and Ella Kiss played 6 games on the day,
twice as a four, singles and triples, pairs. Leah started off skipping the fours and
playing the first singles game while the others formed a triples and played on the
neighboring rink. The next game involved the pairing of Tom and Ayla, Leah and Ella.
After lunch other rounds of pairs, triples and singles and fours were played with Tom
playing in the singles and the pairs teams of Leah and Ayla, Tom and Ella. It was a big
day that tested everyone’s stamina (including the coaches and parents!)
All the Geckos played extremely well against quality opposition that at times included
State representatives. We all witnessed some excellent bowls.
Special mentions for Tom who played an 18 year old representative player in the
singles and generally out drew him. Tom saw his toucher or the jack disappear into the
ditch a few times! Ayla, who played the bowl of the day when skipping the fours: by
taking the jack into the ditch on the last end to win game!
The standard of bowls at the Kneebone tournament was high, making it a great
experience for the Gippsland bowlers. It enabled them to play with their peers from
around Victoria and recognise the pathway in front of them to representing Victoria.
I am certainly looking forward to working with the Junior Development Squad to
improve our performance and knowledge of the game. Those in the squad who
missed out this time will be practicing hard to gain a position in the Geckos for the
next tournament.
Thanks to the parents who transported their young bowlers to Sunbury and back. A
big couple of days. Thanks also to Sue Jenkins who has been helping out at squad
training and attended at the tournament as support and as a coach.
Some of these young bowlers will be playing Weekend pennant for their club and
entering state games. If you see them around the clubs, make sure you congratulate
them on their achievements and enjoy watching young bowlers playing bowls.

Nigel Plunkett