Bowls: New Zealand teams named for international tournaments

Selina Goddard during the Women's Fours match at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Photo / Getty Images

Bowls New Zealand has named two teams to play in tournaments in the lead-up to the Bowls World Champs later in the year.

Heading to the Hong Kong Classic are players that missed selection in the Blackjacks World Bowls team. Paul Girdler and Tony Grantham will represent New Zealand in men's competition while Sarah Scott and Selina Goddard will play in the women's side.

In naming these players national coach Dave Edwards said: "This selection comprises three current members of the Blackjacks squad in Selina, Tony and Paul. These players are all very experienced at the international level and we are keen to see them continue to gain further exposure on the international stage.

"For Sarah we were very happy with her debut performance in the development trans-Tasman team back in March and see her as a player with real potential for the future. For her to now gain experience at the top level, especially on foreign soil, is critical for her own growth."

At the same time as this team was announced Edwards also named the team to represent New Zealand in this year's A$100,000 APL in Australia. The event will be held in November at Queensland's Pine Rivers Club where New Zealand are the reigning champions.

The winning team from last year has therefore been given the chance to defend their title. Jo Edwards, Ali Forsyth and Shannon McIlroy will again play seven teams from around Australia with all of them having signed up some of the best bowlers from around the world.

"This is the fourth year this new quick fire format has been played," said Edwards. "With each year the standard has improved a lot so to go over there and defend the title will be extremely difficult. The Aussies didn't like us cleaning up last year so more than ever they'll be trying knock us off to ensure we don't go back to back."