Bowls: Smooth switch for top bowlers

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The appointment of Ann Muir as convener of the national women's selection panel reflects Bowls New Zealand's determination to include recent internationals as administrators.

Muir follows Adrienne Lambert on to the panel and as manager of the New Zealand team.

Lambert, who was at the helm of the all-conquering Kiwi team at this year's world championships, switched from player to manager shortly after ending her international career.

The retirement of stalwarts Gloria Bryant and Lex Kimber leaves Matamata's Rhoda Ryan as the sole incumbent on the new panel, which has been appointed for a two-year term. The other selectors are former international Bett Prattley, of Geraldine, and Wanganui's Joy Lynch.

A part-time teacher at Whangarei's Pompallier College, Muir admits that the panel, and the teams they select, face a major challenge in attempting to emulate the 2000 World Bowls team, who won gold in the triples and fours.

Two of that side, Patsy Jorgensen and Sharon Sims, have been included for the Parmenter Holland open fours at Edgeworth, Australia, early next month.

In their first surprise, the selectors have named former developmental team member Jo Edwards (nee Barrett) as skip, with another newcomer, Wendy Jensen, at lead.

Edwards will, however, team with long-time partner Val Smith in the August 14-17 Kingscliff pairs in Australia, while Sims will join Marlene Castle in another strong New Zealand combination.

New Zealand will have three pairs in the men's event, headed by defending champions Rowan Brassey and Peter Belliss.

Adam Newman, named this week for the Edgeworth fours, will join former international Brian Baldwin at Kingscliff, while world championship medallists Russell Meyer and Paul Girdler complete the lineup.

Bellis, Newman, Meyer and Kelvin Scott - a newcomer and former national singles champion - will later play the open fours.

Entries for the new-look national championships open on September 1 with a new format aimed at enticing more entries.

The men's championships, starting at the Onehunga Club on December 27, will have play in singles, pairs and fours interwoven with qualifying rounds in all events in the first week. All finals will be played on January 9.

The women's championships, based at the Wainuiomata club, will be held from February 11-25.