Madi Hazell recently returned from Tweed Heads after representing the NSW Combined High Schools (NSW CHS) team at the School Sport Australia Bowls Championships. A 15-player NSW squad fielded three five-person teams that battled Victoria, and the Junee High School student played in the NSW Blue side, the best-performing NSW team that eventually fell to Victoria 46.5 to 25.5. “I’m honoured to have represented NSW,” Hazell said.
“We played Victoria, and they were just too good for us, but it was a great opportunity and once-in-a-lifetime chance.” When asked what the difference was competing at the national level, Hazell said players took a much more serious approach to the competition. “The social aspect is very different, and at local games and Club Champs, we’ll have a laugh and take it easy,” Hazell said.
“When you’re playing at this national level, it’s a lot more competitive as you don’t know the kids you are playing against, and you barely know your own team, so you’re out there to win, knuckle down, and play had.”
Bowls is a great sport, but not one that many juniors typically play. Still, the 16-year-old wouldn’t have it any other way, with the proud Junee Joker member going into her ninth year playing after being introduced to the sport by her late grandmother, Helen Fairweather.
“I played my first game with my nan, and since then, mum and dad (Melissa and Corey Hazell) picked it up, and it’s a family event,” Hazell said. “I started playing competition bowls in 2018, won a couple of Club Champs, picked up Juniors the year after, and represented the Zone at the State Championships. “I ended up playing for Riverina for the first time last year before being selected for the NSW side and got selected for the NSW side again this year.”
The year ten student is considering her future after being named in the Bowls NSW under 18s squad for the 2023/24 season earlier this month.
