Canterbury bowler nominated

Press, 8 September 1989, Page 40

Canterbury bowler nominated

By GARY BIRKETT Marie Watson, of Canterbury, has been nominated for the New Zealand women’s outdoor bowls team to contest the Commonwealth Games competition in Auckland next year. Watson, aged 45, of the Linwood club, learned of her nomination last week after attending a training camp in Palmerston North. A New Zealand pairs title winner in 1987, she will lead for Judy Howat, of Wellington, in the pairs competition. “it is fantastic to be in the team. It will be a great experience to represent New Zealand at the

Games. I am looking forward to the opening ceremony already." Although the team has yet to be officially ratified by the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, there is little likelihood that the lineup will change. Watson represented New Zealand at the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea two years ago, winning a silver medal in the fours. She has been playing bowls for the Linwood club for 13 years. Her husband, Ken Watson, is a leading player in Canterbury and won the New Zealand fours title 11 years ago while their son, Gary, aged 22,

is regarded as one of the most promising players in Canterbury. The women’s team will get together in Matamata in November for another training camp and will assemble for the Games on January 14. Watson said she had little trouble forging a good partnership with Howat last week and is looking forward to the tough competition that the Games always produce. The nominated team is:— Singles: Millie Khan (Matamata). Pairs: Marie Watson (Canterbury), Judy Howat (Wellington). Fours: Lyn McLean (Palmerston North), Adrian Lambert (Matamata), Betty Fitzell (Matamata), Marlene Castle (Auckland).