Brisbane, (2 August 2017): Across the weekend of 22-23 July, the 2017 Queensland Junior Cup lifted the bar once again as a premier ranked tournament for Junior bowlers in Australia.
In the space of just three years, participation has soared and with the support of many loyal sponsors, a tireless Organising Committee and exceptional efforts by the host Centre, Strathpine Hyperbowl to provide a top-class field of play, this year’s QJC was a resounding success.
Defending champion Rebekah Commane from Point Cook in Victoria led the field from the start of the two-stage Finals on Sunday and stormed to victory again this year with an impressive 214.2 average and a total pinfall of 4558, including bonuses for three matchplay wins. Local teenager Makayla Tritton from Narangba averaged 208.7 and 2016 QJC runner-up, Chloe Jones from Townsville finished third with a 197.4 average.
In the male division, 17 year-old Kyle Annetts from Little Mountain on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast overtook top-qualifier Josh Morris from Cameron Park near Newcastle in NSW to take the lead going into the final five head-to-head games of matchplay. With the bonus of a flawless five winning matches Annetts cruised to an emphatic victory with a 223.4 average, ahead of 14-year-old Cairns bowler Bailey Miller who notched wins in four of the five games of matchplay. Despite an overall average of 213.0, a disappointing first game in matchplay relegated Adelaide teenager Jay Davy to third place, just 21 pins behind Miller.
From the outset, the QJC provided the ideal opportunity to showcase the fun and excitement of the sport of tenpin bowling. Within hours of the contingent of eight young American players arriving in Queensland, the first of two ‘friendlies’ matches was held between the visitors and local players. During Friday’s unofficial practice Jay Davy shot a thrilling 300, and came close to achieving another perfect score with a 298 game in the first stage of Sunday’s Finals. Other ‘firsts’ associated with this year’s QJC included expansion of the prize fund for Graded division bowlers and the introduction of a new award – the Fletcher Family Trophy, recognising sportsmanship as well as achievement, and won this year by Bradley Logozzo from Picton in south-west Sydney. Prizes for the winners of BPD Bowling’s ‘up and coming players’ award went to Blake Walsh from Ballina in northern NSW and Strathpine bowler Charlene Burnet from Lawnton.
With a maximum age of 18 to qualify as a Junior, the age span of participants was also notable, including 11 year-old Blake Walsh and 9 year-old Julian Dinham, the youngest of three brothers who had travelled with their parents from Bankstown in Sydney to compete in this year’s QJC.
Tenpin Bowling Association of Queensland’s Junior Committee, in partnership with Moreton Bay Regional Council presented a memorable tournament that attracted bowlers, officials and supporters from all around Australia, and overseas. The tournament was officially opened by Shane King, MP for Kallangur representing Queensland Minister for Sport, the Hon. Mick de Brenni, with the Opening ceremony involving dignitaries from the Moreton Bay Regional Council, the Australian-American Association, TBAQ Chairman, Michael McKenna and including an inspirational speech by one of Australia’s top bowlers, Brisbane-based George Frilingos.
Highlighting the popularity of the region, Organising Committee Chairman, Robert McDonald today announced the venue and dates for next year’s Queensland Junior Cup which will be held at the Caboolture Bowl complex on the weekend of 21-22 July 2018. Due to the unparalleled interest in this popular Junior tournament, the Organising Committee is considering expanding the event next year starting with a Friday evening squad, with further details to be announced in coming weeks.
Caboolture Bowl proprietor, Brian Bates was pleased to receive news of his Centre’s winning bid to host the 2018 Queensland Junior Cup, acknowledging the outstanding efforts by this year’s host venue, Strathpine Hyperbowl. “We will work with the SQ Junior Committee and Moreton Bay Regional Council to try and make next year’s event even better than this year’s success story,” Bates stated.
TBAQ CEO, Gail Torrens echoed his comments. “TBAQ is proud of the great job our Junior Committee has done in delivering a bigger, better event every year since the first Queensland Junior Cup in 2015. “The tournament offers two divisions of prizes - one division for open grade bowlers and a handicapped division for those starting out in tournaments to encourage the younger players to participate, and we’re thrilled that the QJC is now the largest ranked event for Juniors in Australia outside the Junior Nationals,” she added.
Full details of Graded division winners and full scores for the 2017 QJC are published on TBA’s results page – www.tenpinresults.com.au.
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