The combination of beautiful weather and surely the Taj Mahal of Sydney South West (the St Johns Park Bowling Club) has produced a close and exciting competition in bowling.  This inter regional carnival is unique because the teams are made up of both males and females playing under the same conditions and on an equal footing.

The excitement of day one was the draw between Hunter and South Coast which resulted from the last bowl, an almighty drive from Kyle Johannes from South Coast.

Seen on the rinks were some very talented young bowlers.

Kenita Monks (Coffs Harbour HS) was seen on the rink urging on the North Coast team.

• Kenita is the NSWCHS Girls Singles Champion and is in the NSW U18 side to play in Budgewoi in October.

Rachel Watt (Balranald Central School) plays in the Riverina team. Rachel has come back from a serious ankle injury which has kept her out of bowling for two years.

• Rachel is the only girl skip at the tournament.

Louren Katague (St Mary’s Senior HS) to escape a Friday afternoon of bookwork decided in year 7 that she would join the school bowls program and learn the art of bowling.  This is her fourth year playing for Sydney West so she certainly achieved her original goal.

• In 2007 Louren was the Australian Junior Singles Champion.
•   Louren Katague also is a member of the NSW U25 team.

Kyle Johannes (Warilla HS) is in his third year representing South Coast.  Kyle played in the No 1 Pennant team for Warilla Bowling Club.  The team made the State finals in 2008 and placed second. Kyle follows in the footsteps of his dad a former international player for South Africa. 

• Earlier this year at the prestigious South Pacific Championships held on the South Coast Kyle won the U18 Singles and his dad was victorious in the Open Singles. 
• In 2008 Kyle won Gold in the U18 National Triples and Silver in the U18 National Fours.
•   Kyle is a member of the NSW U18 team.

Jarrod Gorsuch (Toronto HS) was the stand-out performer at St John’s Park and was named player of the tournament.  Jarrod was also selected in the NSWCHS team.

North Coast defeated the more favoured South Coast in the Finals 29-23.

The huge success of the Lawn Bowls Championships can be attributed to Ross Higgins (Sydney South West RSO), Ben Condon (Cecil Hills HS) the Carnival Manager and Gavin Holburn (NSWCHS Lawn Bowls Convener).

NSWCHS would also like to acknowledge the support and friendship of the staff and members of St John’s Park Bowling Club.  Everybody went out of their way to assist in any way they could and welcome players, management and supporters.