THE dreams for local Mount Gambier indoor bowlers Fiona Pearson, Keisha Pearson and Serena Bourn have came true after being selected in the Australian Indoor Bias Bowls team.
The Mount Gambier District Indoor Bowls Association bowlers, along with fellow club member Zac Pearson, took part in three days of intense trials in Ballarat recently where they had to play in front of the Australian selectors, who then chose the Australian team.
Zac Pearson missed out on selection, but Fiona Pearson, Keisha Pearson and Bourn were successful.
The main challenge was to convert their play from a standard 30ft carpet to the international 24ft carpet, which suited the bowlers.
Only seven men and seven women are selected to form the Australian test team.
Australia competes in a Trans Tasman test against New Zealand every two years and both countries hold the test on a rotating basis.
This year the test is to be held in Pukekohe, New Zealand, on May 9, 10 and 11.
For Fiona Pearson it is the fourth time she will represent Australia, with her daughter Keisha representing her country for the second time.
Bourn was jubilant when she was selected to debut in the Australian team.
The three Bowlers walked away thrilled knowing they are to play at the highest level the game of indoor bowls can be in Australia.
Fiona Pearson will play lead in eight bowls mixed pair’s team, with Kyle French from Queensland, who has won many gold medals for Australia in his past test appearances.
She will then double up and represent Australia in the Ladies Singles.
Keisha Pearson will play as a lead in the Ladies Triples team with Lynda Charles (Tasmania) and skip Anne Draffen (Victoria).
She will then double up leading in the women’s fours team with Charles, Draffen and skip Monica Korn (NSW).
Bourn will represent her country as a reserve.
AUSTRALIAN TEAM
Ladies single: Fiona Pearson.
Men’s Singles: Ian Ogilvie.
Ladies 8 bowl: Julie Zaporozec and Monika Korn (Skip).
Men’s 8 bowl pairs: Angus Young and Ian Ogilvie (Skip).
Mixed 8 bowl Pairs: Fiona Pearson and Kyle French (Skip).
Mixed 6 bowl Pairs: Annika Van Lierop and Haydn Weir (Skip).
Ladies Triples: Keisha Pearson, Lynda Charles and Anne Draffen (Skip).
Men’s Triples: Errol Weir, Shane Cashill and Simon Zaporozec (Skip).
Ladies 4s: Keisha Pearson, Lynda Charles, Anne Draffen and Monika Korn.(Skip).
Men’s 4s: Errol Weir, Haydon Weir, Angus Young and Simon Zaporozec (Skip).
Mixed Fours: Annika Van Lierop, Julie Zaporozec, Shane Cashill and Kyle French (Skip).
Reserves: Serena Bourn and Max Young.
Team Managers: Joe Simpson and Glenn Sargent.
