Bowls: End of the line for Belliss

Peter Belliss' gold-studded international career is over.

After 25 years at the top, Wanganui-raised but now Australian-based Belliss is no longer wanted for international duty by the national selectors.

"I received a phone call from Peter Kean [national selector] and he said I was no longer carded for selection purposes, which effectively means my international playing days are over," the 51-year-old Belliss said.

After three world and five national titles, Belliss hangs up his silver fern with few regrets.

"I've had a great career, 25 years packed with great memories," he said.

"I have to accept I haven't played that well in the past 12 months and the selectors have decided they want to work on a few new combinations.

"The four didn't play that well at the Commonwealth Games this year and as skip I have to take some responsibility for that.

"I have no problem with the selectors' decision."

Belliss won his first world crown in 1984 in Aberdeen, winning the singles gold on a thrilling last end.

In 1988 he teamed with his good mate Rowan Brassey to take the pairs crown in Auckland.

"That was especially satisfying because it was played at home," Belliss said.

In 2000 in Johannesburg, Belliss, Brassey and Andy Curtain bagged gold in the triples, again a satisfying result because they had worked hard to convince the selectors to give their combination a chance to prove themselves.

The affable Belliss won three national singles titles and two in the pairs.

"When I won my first national singles I think I had to win 15 matches to do it," he said.

Now the pressure of time and money means the nationals are a much more compact event, played over fewer days.

Belliss lists Englishmen David Bryant and Tony Allcock, and Scot Alex Marshall as his toughest foes, and he enjoyed some robust battles with Australians Rob Parrell and Ian Schuback.

He leaves the international stage feeling the national scene is in good shape, with younger players making more of a contribution. He just wishes bowls funding was greater to allow the game to expand here.

He also worries about falling memberships of many clubs.


- NZPA