GLASSHOUSE lawn bowler Jack Chirgwin has won gold, silver and bronze in Bundaberg across various divisions at the Junior State Championships from January 14-20.
His grandfather and Junior Bowls co-ordinator and development officer Bill Tumbridge praised Jack’s efforts over the week, and his overall dedication to lawn bowls.
“He’s been pretty good throughout the experience, he enjoys it, and he loves playing it. He’s a good kid and plays hard, and he puts the time in practicing twice a week,” he said.
“Jack and his pairs partner from Algester, Todd Brain, won gold in the U18 Open Pairs, and then the two, alongside two brothers also from Algester, won a silver in the Junior Open Fours. Lastly, Jack, his pairs partner, and another bowler from Enoggera, won bronze in the Junior Triples at the State Championships.”
Although Jack just started grade 11, Bill hopes he will continue bowling after high school, especially with more junior bowls opportunities emerging as the sport gains popularity. “Bowls Australia is desperately trying to make lawn bowls an Olympic sport, its currently in the commonwealth games but… we are confident that we will achieve this goal,” he said.
“To have that as a long-term goal for these kids to play for Australia in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, which is only nine years away, is great because they will be the right age by then to play.”