
In an effort to develop a clear pathway for athletes to progress from grass roots through to elite level competition, Tenpin Bowling Australia introduced the National Training Squad (NTS) in 2011.
TBA consistently evaluates feedback from current athletes, coaches, State Associations and the wider community and makes changes to both programs to strengthen the pathway to elite level competition with the ultimate goal of developing world class athletes. The vision of TBA’s High Performance Program is simply:
To develop and deliver programs and pathways which produce world class bowlers and coaches that enrich the Australian Bowling Community.
The squad will remain current from 1st January to 31st December each year.
TBA no longer requires athletes to nominate or apply to join the NTS.
Suitable athletes are noticed through their activity, and are selected based on their ranking, data and results, as well as a national talent identification process. Successful athletes are then invited by TBA to join the squad. This process usually occurs around November each year.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 Situation, which greatly affected all International Teams as well as National Events and local travel for extended periods across Australia in 2020; the current 2020 NTS squads will remain in place until 31st December 2021.
Current NTS athletes must fulfil their requirements to retain their position next year.
Apart from Junior NTS – No new intake of athletes will occur in 2020 (for 2021 NTS)
TBA still reserves the right to add or remove athletes as they deem necessary.
2020 National Training Squad
Team Australia – NTS members
Head Coaches
Head Coaches:
Junior: Shane Bernhardt
Youth: Geoff Bowness
Adult Female: Robert Alexander
Adult Male: Chris Batson
Senior: Eric Jang
National Teams
Asian School Championships |
Asian Adult Championships |
Asian Seniors Bowling Championship |
Commonwealth Championship |
World Youth Championship |
World Men’s Championships |
World Women’s Championships |
World Senior Championships |
World Single Championships |

Variation to the Tenpin Bowling Australia’s Anti-Doping Policy
Minor variation to the Tenpin Bowling Australia’s Anti-Doping Policy to recognise the replacement of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority by Sport Integrity Australia from 1 July 2020.
From 1 July 2020 the Tenpin Bowling Australia’s Anti-Doping Policy is varied as follows:
Any and all references to the:
- Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) are to be read as references to Sport Integrity Australia;
- Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Act 2006 (Cth) (ASADA Act) are to be read as references to the Sport Integrity Australia Act 2020 (Cth); and
- Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Regulations 2006 (Cth) (ASADA Regulations) are to be read as references to the Sport Integrity Australia Regulations 2020 (Cth).
SIA for Athletes in State Based Training & National Training Squad
Athletes are responsible for any substance found in their body regardless of how it got there.
As an athlete it is your responsibility to ensure any medications (including supplements) you are taking are approved by Sport Integrity Australia https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/ (SIA).
SIA is working to protect the right of athletes to participate in doping-free sport and it is important that athletes, coaches and administrators are aware of their responsibilities to comply.
As an athlete, you have a duty to your sponsors, your coaches and your fans to achieve pure performance in sport. We all have a responsibility to keep our sport free from doping.
Important Information for Athletes Regarding the Prohibited List: As the Prohibited List is reviewed and updated constantly, it’s extremely important that you always check any substances before taking them. Please refer to the ‘Check Your Substances’ link below to ensure that the substance is not on the prohibited list.
All athletes that are current members of their state based training program or members of the National Training Squad are required to complete the SIA e-learning online training program; a series of six 20 minute interactive modules. To find out more and register for the program click here https://elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au/
SIA eLearning Portal
To find out more and to register for the program click here https://elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au/
Anti Doping Policy
The Anti Doping Policy outlines Tenpin Bowling Australia’s stance on issues relating to anti-doping. It’s designed to protect athletes’ fundamental right to participate in doping free sport and thus promote health, fairness and equality within the sport.
All members, participants, and non-participants in the sport of Tenpin Bowling are bound by these rules. This includes athletes, support personnel and employees whose employment contracts enables this.
Check Your Substances
As the Prohibited List is reviewed and updated each year, it’s extremely important that you always check your substances online at Global DRO before taking them. The ‘Check Your substances’ tool is constantly updated to reflect any changes to the Prohibited List.
SIA Check Your Substances
WADA Prohibited List
Therapeutic Use Exemptions
Athletes, like all others, may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take particular medications.
If the medication an athlete is required to take to treat an illness or condition happens to fall under the Prohibited List, a Therapeutic Use Exemption may give that athlete the authorisation to take the needed medicine.
For information regarding Therapeutic Use Exemptions including how to apply for a TUE please refer to the website
https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/resources/therapeutic-use-exemption .