Lawn Bowls Athletes Selected to Team Canada for 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, ON – July 13, 2010 – Bowls Canada Boulingrin and Commonwealth Games Canada today announced the Lawn Bowls athletes and coaches who will join Team Canada for the XIXth Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India from October 3 - 14.

Veteran international competitor, Keith Roney (Regina, SK), is headed for his third straight Commonwealth Games, having competed in Manchester, England (2002) and Melbourne, Australia (2006). Roney is joined by two of the world’s outstanding international bowlers, Ryan Bester (Cabramatta, Australia) and Hiren Bhartu (Nanaimo, BC), along with other experienced Canadian champions and international-level athletes. On the women’s side, Shirley Fitzpatrick-Wong (Winnipeg, MB), a silver medalist at the 2002 Games in Manchester, is part of a squad that combines experience and youth.

“This is a group of athletes that we expect will perform extremely well in Delhi,” stated Chef de Mission, Martha Deacon. “I’m really looking forward to watching them compete in the Canadian Championships coming up in August in Edmonton.”

Shirley Lenarduzzi, Co-Chair of Bowls Canada Boulingrin’s High Performance Committee, added there is great excitement and anticipation among the team members who are preparing for the Delhi Games. “I have a really good feeling about this group,” she added, “with such a solid mixture of experienced international athletes and young, rising stars, we’re looking forward to some great podium performances in October.”

The team will be coached for the first time by an Australian, David Millard (Cardiff, Australia). Prior to being named to the position, David coached in the Australian Premier League. He made his first international coaching appearance -- and his first as coach of Canada’s national bowls team -- at the 2009 Atlantic Championships in South Africa in May, 2009.

The team was chosen after two selection camps: one in Arizona in January, with the final cut being made at a selection camp at White Rock, B.C. in May. The athletes include:

Women

  • Amanda Berg, 23, (Edmonton, AB). Her first major international competition.
  • Erin Marie Roth, Age 27, Stratford, Ontario; First international competition was in 2006 when she competed in the World Junior Cup Indoor Singles Championships and only recently made back to international competition when she was named to the 2009 Asia Pacific Championship team.
  • Shirley Fitzpatrick-Wong, 39, (Winnipeg, MB). Silver medalist at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and 2009 Canadian Pairs Champion.
  • Rachel Larson, 53, (Saskatoon, SK). 2009 Canadian Pairs silver medalist.
  • Josephine Lee, 61, (Burnaby, BC). 2009 National Singles Champion and won silver at the Hong Kong Classic in December 2009.
  • Harriette Pituley, 52, (Regina, SK). 1997 Canadian gold medalist in Pairs and was a member of the National Team at the 2007 Asia Pacific Championships and the 2009 Atlantic Championships.

Men

  • Ryan Bester, 26, (Cabramatta, Australia. Hometown: Hanover, ON). 2004 World Champion in Pairs with fellow National Team member, Keith Roney. Currently ranked #16 in the world in Singles.
  • Hiren Bhartu, 52, (Nanaimo, BC). 2008 Canadian Singles Champion and currently ranked 6th in the world in Singles.
  • Michel Larue, 44, (Longueuil, QC). Gold medalist in Pairs and bronze medalist in Fours at the 2003 Asia Pacific Championships.
  • Steve McKerihen, 53, (Toronto, ON). National Team member since 2004, silver medalist in Triples and bronze medalist in Fours at 2007 Asia Pacific Championships.
  • Keith Roney, 62, (Regina, SK). Member of Bowls Canada’s National Team for 23 years. Former Pairs World Champion (2004) with Ryan Bester.
  • Fred Wallbank, 58, (Toronto, ON). Four-time gold medalist in Fours at the Canadian Championships.

Interviews with individual athletes and coaches can be arranged by contacting Kevin Penny, Executive Director, Bowls Canada Boulingrin, Phone 613-244-0021, Email: office@bowlscanada.com.

The Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games will be the world’s largest multi-sport competition this year, drawing more than 4,000 athletes from 71 nations and territories. For more information on Team Canada, visit www.commonwealthgames.ca.

Bowls Canada Boulingrin Mission Statement
To promote, foster and safeguard the sport of outdoor and indoor bowls in all its forms in Canada, through events and programs.

About Commonwealth Games Canada
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of Commonwealth Games Canada is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth, by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool.

Derek Johnston
Commonwealth Games Canada Communications
(613) 837-3377
derek@face-value.ca

Kevin Penny
Bowls Canada Boulingrin
(613) 244-0021
Office@bowlscanada.com