Australia bowlers hail “brilliant” Glasgow 2026 preparation camp

A squad of 30 athletes, featuring 20 Bowls and 10 Para Bowls players, travelled to the UK for a five-day test series tournament, from 4-6 and 8-9 October, where they took on a host of Scotland’s best bowlers. 

The matches were split between Glasgow Indoor Bowls Club and East Kilbride Indoor Bowls Club with the regulations and playing surface closely matched what they are likely to encounter next year. 

“The test matches against Scotland have been brilliant, it’s such a great experience to get here, play indoors and play against some of the best players in the world,” said three-time Commonwealth Games medal-winner Kelsey Cottrell. 

“We had a look at where the Commonwealth Games will be held and it’s very exciting to not be in a traditional bowls club, but to be in a stadium atmosphere will just be so amazing for the athletes that are selected. We feel very privileged to be here.” 

Team-mate and fellow Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games champion Natasha Van Eldik, is also positive about the changes to the sport and the impact they will have in the long-term. 

“It’s a different concept to what we’re generally used to in Australia with quick, short, sharp games, which is really good and to take on quality opposition, against a Scottish team who know these greens, has been really great preparation for the Aussie team,” she said. 

“Being in Glasgow is exciting and to think we’re one of the sports that gets to play here (next year), I think that you have to take opportunities like this with both hands and run.” 

The Scottish competitors also enjoyed the experience of taking on their Australian counterparts, with eight-time World Indoor champion Stewart Anderson hailing the test series as a “really good preparation” ahead of a home Games next year. 

“I’ve been fortunate enough to go over and play in Australia, so to now have them over here leading up to Glasgow has been really good and to try and get one over them as well,” he said with a laugh.

“It’s always great to take on an Australian team, who are one of the top nations, alongside ourselves and now thinking to next year (Glasgow 2026), I’m sure Scotland will come out in numbers at every event and I hope to see quite a lot of them at the Bowls as well!” 

Two-time Commonwealth champion turned High Performance Manager for Bowls Australia, Rebecca van Asch, says she expects a “real buzz” around the Bowls and Para Bowls disciplines come Glasgow 2026 and believes it was important her team sampled this ahead of next year. 

“Coming here, for a big preparation tour was important for many reasons, like getting used to the playing surface, the conditions and the travel, as well as getting to see our opposition, Team Scotland, in action,” she says. 

“The Scots really dominated in 2014, when the Glasgow Games were here last so we know they’ll feed off a home crowd, but so we’ll try to feed off that energy and real buzz too. 

“Nothing beats that Commonwealth Games environment because for Bowls, being involved in this multi-sport event, makes it our Olympics and the whole city will come alive.” 

The squad are united in hope and belief that the inclusion of Bowls and Para Bowls in the 10-sport-strong programme for Glasgow 2026 will result in strong televised coverage and a lasting legacy at home, as well as abroad. 

“I think it’ll be very different, not being on grass outdoors and being in a stadium, but that should create a great atmosphere and to only compete with nine other sports I think will be an amazing experience for bowls,” said Cottrell. 

“Hopefully we’ll get so much television coverage and I think everyone back in Australia is really excited about the prospect of bowls really taking off after this Commonwealth Games.” 

By Nick Hope / Isla Leslie, Glasgow 2026 Content Creators