Bowls NSW coach Mike Everett and selector John Rodis were impressed by the level of ability displayed by young bowlers at a clinic held in Nyngan over the weekend. A highlight for those who attended was bowling with local junior State representative Chris Rosannes who attended the clinic as a mentor.

From those who attended the Nyngan clinic a small talented squad of six athletes has been selected to represent the Far West region.

The 2008 FWAS bowls squad:

o Claire Bennell, Coonabarabran

o Kassandra Wilson, Coonabarabran

o Tayla Conway, Nyngan

o Wade Haines, Trangie

o Shannon Tighe, Walgett

o Brent Richards, Walgett

Some members of the new squad have already been attending monthly development sessions offered by the Dubbo-based Zone 4 junior program under the guidance of Zone 4 junior co-ordinator Ted Cassidy.

The aim now is for the academy program to offer the athletes an advanced level of coaching by exposing them to high-level coaches from around the State, having them work on a home development program, and attending some key events.

The squad will travel to Bathurst in the first week of the July school holidays for a regional development camp hosted by the Western Regional Academy. NSW Institute of Sport bowls program head coaches Cameron Curtis and Geoff Campbell are conducting the camp. In October the FWAS will select representatives from the squad to attend the NSW Academy Games in Armidale.

The FWAS looks forward to working with this new squad over the next five months and assisting each of these athletes in their pursuit of recognition at a state level in the Bowls NSW representative programs. Under the guidance of John Rodis, the academy is confident that this program will create many opportunities for the selected athletes.

The FWAS thanks Bowls NSW for providing expert State coach Mike Everett to attend the clinic.

For further information on the FWAS bowls program, contact the FWAS office in Warren on 6847 3638.