NTS 18 to travel to New Zealand
By Tenpin Bowling Australia
The National Training Squad (NTS) 18 is ready to travel to New Zealand to compete in several events in early October.
Following the decision by Tenpin Bowling Australia (TBA) not to send a team to participate in the 2022 Asian School Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, the NTS 18 will embark on an exciting opportunity to compete internationally against our neighbours across the ‘ditch’.
TBA has received an invitation for the NTS 18 to attend the TBNZ Junior/Youth National Championships, and National Youth Teams Championships in Auckland, New Zealand as Team Australia in October 2022.
Over the years, Tenpin Bowling New Zealand (TBNZ) proudly supports and attends TBA Nationals, sending teams for the Presidents’ Shield, Youth Challenge, Rachuig and Senior events.
Tenpin Bowling Australia CEO Rohan O’Neill said it’s an excellent opportunity to return the favour by supporting New Zealand and attending these events.
“We are pleased to be able to provide our NTS 18 athletes with this opportunity to attend a major event overseas,” he said.
“We look forward to competing against the best in New Zealand and continuing to grow our friendship with them.”
With Australia attending these events, TBA is also excited to introduce a brand-new event that will coincide.
The Trans-Tasman Challenge.
The Trans-Tasman Challenge will be a mixed teams event between Australia and New Zealand that will see teams of five competing using the Baker Format.
Similar to the Ashes and Bledisloe Cup, the victors in each Challenge will hold on to the title, and possess a perpetual trophy, until the next event. The event will also alternate locations between Australia and New Zealand with the 2022 edition seeing Auckland play hosts to the Challenge.
The Challenge, whilst in its infancy, will see only NTS 18 athletes compete this year, however, the intention is to branch out to Under 21, Adults, and 50+ teams from next year and beyond.
The team will travel between 30 September to 9 October for the events which include singles, doubles and teams as well as Masters in the TBNZ Nationals, two teams competing in the Youth Teams Championship, and the inaugural Trans-Tasman Challenge.
