Bowls Canada – May 30, 2019 – Ottawa (ON) – Canadians Ready to Roll on the Gold Coast

Members of Team Canada are assembling today on Australia’s sunny Gold Coast in advance of the 2019 Asia Pacific Championships.  In addition to acclimatization training, some of the Canadian athletes will be competing in the prestigious Australian Open competition which is being staged at clubs across the Gold Coast from June 1-14.

Many eyes will be on Canada’s Ryan Bester as the Australian Open Men’s Singles defending champion. Despite having relocated to Australia to play bowls for the Broadbeach Bulls, Bester is honored to be a part of the Canadian program which he continues to reinforce with the Australian media. “It suits me to play in Australia,” said Bester, “but I still put the maple leaf on my back with pride.”

With $250,000 in prize money on the line, the Australian Open attracts bowls talent from all over the globe. “Playing in the Australian Open gives our athletes an opportunity to face top competitors and experience the faster greens and playing conditions in advance of the Asia Pacific Championships,” said Canadian Head Coach Terry Scott. “With the Asia Pacific Championships being Canada’s only opportunity to qualify for the 2020 World Championships, we are fortunate that so many of our team are able to participate”. 

After a successful 2018 Commonwealth Games, Team Canada is confident in their chances for a successful performance on the Australian greens.  “But we are not taking anything for granted,” commented Scott. “The athletes have been training hard on and off the greens and have committed 110% to their preparation efforts.”

Team Canada members won’t be the only Canadians on the greens for the Australian Open.  Mother and son duo Ann Marie and John Siteman from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia are also making their way down to the Gold Coast to experience the excitement of the Open.  Fans can learn more about the Australian Open and follow their favourite Canadian bowlers at http://australianopen.bowlsaustralia.com.au/

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2019 Asia Pacific Championships Team Canada Roster

Men’s Singles:  Ryan Bester (Hanover, ON)

Men’s Pairs:  Ryan Bester, Rob Law (Winnipeg, MB)

Men’s Triples:    Cameron Lefresne (Enfield, NS), Greg Wilson (Cochrane, AB), Pat Bird (Calgary, AB)

Men’s Fours:     Cameron Lefresne, Greg Wilson, Pat Bird, Rob Law

Women’s Singles: Kelly McKerihen (Toronto, ON)

Women’s Pairs:  Kelly McKerihen, Joanna Cooper (Calgary, AB)

Women’s Triples: Leanne Chinery (Victoria, BC), Jordan Kos (Regina, SK), Jackie Foster (Bridgetown, NS)

Women’s Fours, Leanne Chinery, Jordan Kos, Joanna Cooper, Jackie Foster

About 2019 Asia Pacific Championships
The 2019 Asia Pacific Championships will take place on the Gold Coast, Queensland from June 18 to 28 and feature teams from 18 countries. The event will be held at the Broadbeach Bowls Club, Club Helensvale and Musgrave Hill Bowls Club.  The Asia Pacific Championships is a qualifying event for the World Bowls Championships 2020 which will also be held at the same venues in May and June next year.

About Australian Open

The Australian Open is the world’s largest bowls festival with competitors attending from all over the globe.  Offering $250,000 in prize money, the 2019 Open will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland from June 1 to 14 across fifteen host clubs.   

About Bowls Canada
Bowls Canada Boulingrin (BCB) is the governing body responsible for lawn bowls in Canada.  The BCB mission is to advance the sport of bowls in Canada.  For more details on Bowls Canada Boulingrin and the sport of lawn bowls, visit www.bowlscanada.com.

For more information, please contact:
Anna Mees
Executive Director, Bowls Canada
Cell: 613-222-9530
Email: amees@bowlscanada.com