Congratulations Rebecca Van Asch
Congratulations to our own Rebecca Van Asch who will headline this all-star bowling line-up in the team to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham from 28 July 2022 – 8 August 2022.
A cohort of champion Australian lawn bowlers will travel to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in July 2022 seeking to add to their golden reputations on the international circuit.
The combined Jackaroos squad of 18 Team Members contains a well-balanced mix of gold medallists and emerging talents seeking a first for the Aussies at the Commonwealth Games – gold medal victor on English soil.
For all the success Australia has enjoyed in elite international competitions, the tactical challenges posed by the slower, heavier greens in the United Kingdom have always stymied our bowlers.
To assist in the squad’s preparations, the Jackaroos have created a practice green at Mount Tamborine in south-east Queensland that mirrors the ones they will play on at Birmingham, getting them used to the English conditions.
Victorian Aaron Wilson, Queenslander Jake Fehlberg and Tasmanian Rebecca Van Asch have all stood atop the podium for their nation at previous Commonwealth Games and will headline this all-star bowling line-up.
Two-time Gold Coast Games gold medallist Rebecca Van Asch can’t wait to back at the Commonwealth Games and is looking forward to the challenge against the best players in the Commonwealth.
“The Gold Coast Games were an incredible moment for me, winning two golds with my teammates, celebrating with family and friends,” Van Asch said.
“I am looking forward to the challenge of the Birmingham Games, it is the highest honour competing for Australia at the Games, and I can’t wait to be over there.”
Bowls Australia CEO Neil Dalrymple was thrilled for the 18 Jackaroos selected to represent Australia at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and knows that they will be giving it their all at the Games.
“On behalf of Bowls Australia, I congratulate the 18 Jackaroos who have been selected for the Australian Commonwealth Games team in Birmingham,” Darlrymple said.
“We have nominated an exciting group of talented bowlers who are ready to showcase their skills against the best players from across the Commonwealth. We are so proud of each of them and can’t wait to be cheering for them all at the Games.”
Australian Lawn Bowls Team – Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games:
| NAME | EVENT | AGE | COMMONWEALTH GAMES | SUBURB | STATE | POSTCODE |
| Helen Boardman | Women’s Para-Lawn Bowls | 60 | Debut | Fitzgibbon | QLD | 4018 |
| Serena Bonnell | Women’s Para-Lawn Bowls | 39 | Debut | Burleigh Heads | QLD | 4220 |
| Lynsey Clarke | Women’s Lawn Bowls | 38 | 4th (2006 – Gold: Women’s Pairs; 2010 – 4th: Women’s Pairs; 2014 – Silver: Women’s Triples) | Upper Coomera | QLD | 4209 |
| Kristina Krstic | Women’s Lawn Bowls | 27 | Debut | Victoria Park | WA | 6100 |
| Cheryl Lindfield | Women’s Para-Lawn Bowls | 63 | Debut | Tarragindi | QLD | 4121 |
| Ellen Ryan | Women’s Lawn Bowls | 25 | Debut | Goulburn | NSW | 2580 |
| Rebecca Van Asch | Women’s Lawn Bowls | 34 | 2nd (2018 – 2x Gold: Women’s Triples & Women’s Fours) | Invermay | TAS | 7248 |
| Natasha Van Eldik | Women’s Lawn Bowls | 31 | 4th (2010 – 4th: Women’s Pairs; 2014 – Quarterfinals: Women’s Pairs, Round Robin: Women’s Triples, 2018 – 2x Gold: Women’s Triples & Women’s Fours) | Port Macquarie | NSW | 2444 |
| Damien Delgado | Men’s Para-Lawn Bowls | 41 | Debut | Banora Point | NSW | 2486 |
| Peter Doherty | Men’s Para-Lawn Bowls (Director) | 72 | Debut | Karana Downs | QLD | 4306 |
| Jake Fehlberg | Men’s Para-Lawn Bowls | 28 | 2nd (2018 – Gold: B2/B3 Pairs – Mixed) | Bargara | QLD | 4670 |
| Grant Fehlberg | Men’s Para-Lawn Bowls (Director) | 63 | 2nd (2018 – Gold: B2/B3 Pairs – Mixed) | Bargara | QLD | 4670 |
| Chris Flavel | Men’s Para-Lawn Bowls | 38 | Debut | Brahma Lodge | SA | 5109 |
| Carl Healey | Men’s Lawn Bowls | 35 | Debut | Kingswood | NSW | 2747 |
| Barrie Lester | Men’s Lawn Bowls | 40 | 3rd (2006 – Bronze: Men’s Pairs; 2018 – 2x Silver: Men’s Triples & Men’s Fours) | Elanora | QLD | 4221 |
| Ben Twist | Men’s Lawn Bowls | 32 | Debut | St Johns Park | NSW | 2528 |
| Corey Wedlock | Men’s Lawn Bowls | 25 | Debut | Barrack Heights | NSW | 2528 |
| Aaron Wilson | Men’s Lawn Bowls | 30 | 2nd (2018 – Gold: Men’s Singles) | Melbourne | VIC | 3165 |
The Commonwealth Games is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in lawn bowls, so all eyes will be on the competition when it gets rolling at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Lawn bowls has featured at every edition of the Commonwealth Games since they began in 1930 except for the Games in Kingston, Jamaica in 1966 because no suitable facilities were available.
Birmingham 2022 will see a record 11 gold medals up for grabs in lawn bowls. Australia has never
won a gold medal in lawn bowls at a Commonwealth Games held in England, Wales or Scotland.
Commonwealth Games lawn bowls medals summary by nation:
| NATION | GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | TOTAL |
| England | 19 | 9 | 20 | 48 |
| Scotland | 18 | 10 | 9 | 37 |
| South Africa | 17 | 11 | 14 | 42 |
| Australia | 14 | 22 | 11 | 47 |
| New Zealand | 13 | 12 | 15 | 40 |
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held from Thursday 28 July to Monday 8 August with the Lawn Bowls competition to be conducted from Friday 29 July through to Saturday 6 August with the competition to be held at Victoria Park at Leamington Spa.
