The Bowls for Brisbane 2032 campaign has taken a major step forward today with the announcement of the Australian Jackaroos and Rest of the World teams who will compete in the first international showcase match as part of the global push to have bowls included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The teams were unveiled at Club Pine Rivers, Queensland, during the official Team Selection Announcement event this morning.

The Australian Jackaroos team, coached by Bowls Australia Hall of Fame Legend Karen Murphy AM, features:

  • Aaron Wilson – back-to-back Commonwealth Games singles gold medallist
  • Ellen Fife (née Ryan) – dual 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist
  • Damien Delgado – 2023 World Bowls Championships para men’s pairs gold medallist

Murphy said the team would proudly represent both the nation and the wider bowls community.

“These Jackaroos bring skill, resilience, and a shared goal – to inspire the next generation and show the world that bowls deserves its place on the biggest sporting stage of all,” Murphy said.

The Rest of the World team, coached by New Zealand’s Selina Goddard, Chair of the World Bowls Athletes Commission and World Bowls Series’ 5th ranked female, includes:

  • Gary Kelly (Ireland) – 2023 World Bowls Championships men’s pairs gold medallist, World Bowls Series number 9 ranked international player
  • Kelly McKerihen (Canada) – former World number one, current World Bowls Series women’s number 6 ranked player
  • Julie O’Connell (New Zealand) – 2023 World Bowls Championships para women’s singles gold medallist

World Bowls President Brett O’Riley said the line-up demonstrated bowls’ international depth.

“These players bring flair, competitive spirit, and a wealth of experience,” O’Riley said.

“Their inclusion highlights the truly global nature of our sport, and they’ll provide a formidable challenge to the Jackaroos.”

The showcase match will be staged on Wednesday 29 October during BPL22, broadcast live across Fox Sports, Kayo, Sky Sport New Zealand, YouTube and international partners.

During the announcement, World Bowls President Brett O’Riley also unveiled the Bowls for Brisbane 2032 campaign logo, while Bowls Australia CEO Matthew Kennedy launched the Become a Bowls for Brisbane 2032 Barracker campaign, encouraging bowlers and clubs worldwide to sign up at https://bit.ly/BfB2032Barracker to show their support.

Bowls Australia CEO Matthew Kennedy said today’s announcement was a defining moment for the sport, and the campaign was about much more than a single showcase match.

“To see our Jackaroos lining up against some of the very best from around the world is a powerful statement of where bowls belongs – shoulder to shoulder with the world’s great sports,” Kennedy said.

“This is about showing the global sporting community that bowls is ready for the Olympic and Paralympic stage; it’s inclusive, it’s competitive, and it’s a sport that genuinely brings generations together.

“By becoming a Barracker, every bowler has a chance to be part of this movement; the louder our collective voice, the stronger our case for Brisbane 2032.”

World Bowls also confirmed that the campaign’s momentum will continue in November, with a second international showcase match in Malaysia during the 2025 World Cup, featuring a Malaysian team versus a new Rest of the World side.

“This is about taking bowls to the world, and bringing the world to bowls,” O’Riley said.

“The more people and clubs who join this movement, the stronger our case for Olympic and Paralympic inclusion becomes.”

For more information and to become a Barracker, visit: https://bit.ly/BfB2032Barracker