Family ties run deep for Twist after Indoors success
For Ben Twist, winning the 2026 Australian Indoor Championships means far more than adding another accolade to his already impressive resume – it is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream that has deep family ties.
Twist produced a dominant display throughout this year’s Australian Indoor Championships, not dropping a single set before defeating St Johns Park Bowling Club teammate Travis Moran in an exhilarating final, with his father Jeff Twist watching on.
For the Australian Jackaroo, it was a full-circle moment after his dad reached the same final 26 years ago in 2000.
“He played Rex Johnston in the final and ended up getting beaten,” Twist said.
“I was 10 years old in grade five and hadn’t played bowls at that stage – I didn’t know much about it.
“As fate would have it, on the same day Dad was playing the final, we had a themed dress-up day at school, which was come to school as your favourite sporting hero.
“I was really into soccer then and was going to go as a soccer player, but instead I ended up grabbing my cricket whites, cricket shoes and Dad’s old Queensland representative shirt out of his cupboard, which was about three sizes too big for me, and off I went to school as Dad.
“I remember being really proud telling everyone that my dad was playing in an Australian singles final, and then three years later, in 2003, I took up bowls when I was 13.”
Twist said bowls had always been a part of his family, with his grandparents, uncle and aunt also having been involved in the sport.
“I obviously learnt how to play through Dad,” Twist said.
“We played a lot of bowls together when I was younger, and basically everything that I know about the game I learnt off him.”
“One of the first events I ever played was the Australian Indoor Singles Qualifying.
“I got beaten in the first round, but I always wanted to win it.
“It took me a lot of years to even qualify, and then I lost quarter-finals and a semi-final before this year.
“It was the one I always wanted to win because it was my introduction to bowls – my first memory of bowls was watching Dad play the final and going to school dressed up as him.
“It was a very, very special having Dad and Mum at the final – dad sat and watched every bowl.”
Having now represented Australia, claimed a Silver Medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and won multiple Australian and State titles, Twist has already achieved plenty in his career.
But he says his most special bowls moment remains winning the Australian Champion of Champion Pairs with his dad in 2011.
“There’s not many sports you can win an Australian title with a family member, so that was always special to achieve,” Twist said.
“We used to roll up together every day after school, and we’d play in literally everything – every club championship, every State championship, every tournament – for about five years until I turned 18.
“I was very lucky because I got a bit of a boost that most players don’t get through his experience and knowledge.”
The St Johns Park product has been in sublime form as of late, claiming Player of the Series for New South Wales in their last two outings, and credits much of his success to the support network around him.
“I’ve worked hard with psychologists and performance psychs, and the last couple of months it has all started to click,” Twist said.
“It’s been a lot of hard work behind the scenes both on and off the green, but I have a lot of support from my work at St Johns Park, as well as my family and partner Brianna.
“Brianna’s been a massive support.
“We play a lot of bowls together – we practice together, we play together, we work together, we live together.”
With the Australian Indoors titles now secured, Twist has his sights firmly set on the next chapter of his career.
His focus over the next 12 months will be earning selection in the Australian team for the 2027 World Bowls Championships, while also preparing for the World Bowls Indoor Championships.
“Representing Australia and trying to win a world title for our country, it’ll be amazing,” Twist said.
“I’ve played a Commonwealth Games, but never a World Bowls Championship before, so I’m just focusing on preparing myself as best as I can for the trials.”
