Bowls: Commonwealth Games team announced

It will be another strong challenge from New Zealand on the greens of Melbourne next March after today's announcement of the Commonwealth Games bowls team.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee, in conjunction with Bowls New Zealand, today announced a 12-strong contingent for the event between March 15-26 2006.

Included are 2004 World Champion Jo Edwards and 2004 World Championship bronze medallist Russell Meyer, who will fill the singles spots for New Zealand.

Rowan Brassey, who appeared at his first Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 1982, will join two-time national champion Jamie Hill in the men's pairs. In the women's pairs, 2002 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jan Khan will line up with sister Marina Khan, who was part of the New Zealand team that beat Australia in the trans-Tasman competition.

Asia Pacific Games gold medal-winning trio Gary Lawson, Justin Goodwin and Richard Girvan will contest the men's triple, while three-time world champion Sharon Sims is joined by Val Smith and Serena Matthews for the women's triple.

New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary general Barry Maister said he was impressed by the team's quality.

"We have come to expect this of bowls. They continually select top quality teams and I am sure this group of players will again perform with distinction in Melbourne," he said.

* The New Zealand Commonwealth Games bowls team is:

Singles: Russell Meyer, Jo Edwards.

Pairs: Jamie Hill and Rowan Brassey (skip), Marina Khan and Jan Khan (skip).

Triples: Justin Goodwin, Richard Girvan and Gary Lawson (skip), Serena Matthews, Sharon Sims and Val Smith (skip).

- NZPA