Journey to the World Bowls Championships: Kelsey Cottrell
Ahead of this week’s World Bowls Championships, the Right at Home Jackaroos share their journeys across the years that has seen them selected for the sport’s showpiece event on the Gold Coast.
Up next, Kelsey Cottrell.
How did you get started in bowls?
I started in 2002 after at least two years of watching my mum play and having no interest in taking up the sport. It wasn’t until I saw some other young kids playing that I thought I’d have a go.
Which was the first bowls club you became involved with?
Tewantin Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. That club was incredibly supportive, lovely members, and I have a lot of great memories of my time there before moving high schools and later moving to the Gold Coast for university.
Which clubs have you been involved with throughout your journey?
Tewantin, Coolum, South Tweed Sports, St Johns Park, Broadbeach and Club Helensvale.
Who is your current club and how have they shown you support throughout your career?
Club Helensvale. It’s been wonderful to join Club Helensvale this year after working there as their Marketing Manager for three years. It’s an awesome club with so much vision to the future. I look forward to being part of the journey we’ve started and growing to be one of the biggest and best clubs in the country.
Who has been the biggest influence on your bowls journey and why?
My mum no doubt. She got me into the sport, drove me around the country side. She’s always been my biggest supporter.
Is there a particular coach who has influenced your bowls journey the most?
My first National Coaches Cam Curtis and Ian Schuback taught our Australian Women’s team to play an exciting brand of bowls.
Why is the 2023 World Bowls Championships so important to you and the people who have helped you on your journey?
Every major championship is a privilege and honour to be part of. Its going to be nice for my family to be there. My kids might drop in after school and on the weekends. Playing on home greens and feeling that support from all the club members and spectators in the grand stands makes it all the more exciting. We have a fantastic team, a fun team and I’m looking forward to starting this campaign, its been a long time in the making!!
