In an upcoming national ten-pin bowling competition, Logan’s premier junior league will be competing as a state of their own.
Logan City Tenpin Bowling have entered the Australian National Championship (ANC) with several “franchise teams”, meaning they will compete separately to their state – competing against the best of the rest of Queensland, along with other states.
Registered as the Logan City Wolves, with teams in the adults, boys and girls categories, manager Janine Buckingham said everyone was “keen as mustard”.
The Logan teams have some of the most elite players in the country, with a few recruits from the National Training Squad.
Some players have competed internationally in New Zealand and, like Emily Bottomley, in Sweden.
Last year was Ms Bottomley’s final year playing in the youth squad, finishing with an average of 185.5.
Earlier in the month, in a successful start to her adult bowling career, she placed third in the Suncity Womens Open on the Sunshine Coast.
Another Logan competitor, Jesse Ellis, has an average of 212.9, a strike ratio of nearly 50% and recently placed seventh in the Mackay Doubles Cup.
Ms Buckingham said the club had more than just skill to their advantage.
“The bond is huge,” Ms Buckingham said.
“Everyone knows each other, especially our boys team.”
She said the boys’ rapport was the hallmark of their squad.
“They know when a teammate is sad, happy or needing motivation,” she said.
Although confident in their skill, the teams are nervous about the conditions of the competition – particularly the Tasmanian winter weather.
Logan will be competing against the most elite players across Australia and New Zealand.
This year’s ANC will also be the largest to date, with a record 31 teams in one of the four tournaments.
The tournaments have strict eligibility criteria, requiring adult bowlers to have minimum averages of 180 for males and 160 for females.
First place will receive $3200, ranging down to $100 for 24th place.
The Logan City Wolves play their first game on June 25.
