FALKNER RELISHING MAIDEN NATIONALS OPPORTUNITY

2023 has been one of the busier years for Ellen Falkner MBE for a variety of reasons, but she has performed in exemplary fashion both on and off the green (writes Val Febbo, Bowls Australia).

The Bowls Australia (BA) High Performance Manager for Para Bowls was an integral cog in the Right at Home Jackaroos assault on the 2023 World Bowls Championships that saw Australia top the medal tally and finish as the best overall para team.

However, the former English international has been dazzling with bowl in hand, picking up two New South Wales state titles earlier in the year that will see her on a plane to Perth for the 2023 Australian Championships at The Nationals.

Speaking on BA’s ‘The Right Line’ podcast, Falkner says that she still adores competing and looks forward to heading west as she chases her first national gold on these shores.

“I’m really excited, looking forward to getting over there as I love competing, it’s a new and different challenge,” she said.

“I’m going to be doing it with some great people, which ultimately is what it’s all about.

“It’s about those experiences and those that you share it with and I’m looking forward to teaming up with Kaz, Ells and JL to have some fun out there.”

The 44-year-old will be seen across the women’s fours and pairs competitions at Joondalup Bowling Club, with Jackaroos Ellen Ryan and Jamie-Lee Worsnop to accompany her in the fours and BA Hall of Fame Legend Karen Murphy AM to join Falkner in both disciplines.

Despite the strong lineup that boasts a combined six Commonwealth Games gold medals and five World Bowls Championships titles, the ever humble Cambridge native is wary of the talent that they will encounter in Perth.

“There are some very strong teams, let me tell you,” she said.

“I’m super lucky that when I came over, there was a spot that opened up with Kaz in the pairs and with the girls in the fours.

“When I look back I’ve actually lost count about how many times Kaz and I have played against each other internationally so it’s been really lovely playing on the same side.”

Since making the move to Australia at the end of 2021 Falkner has settled into her new life in sensational fashion, but winning an Australian Championships gold would be the cherry on top.

“It would be fabulous, when you come over you’re almost starting again because there are new and different challenges,” she said.

“When I look back at the goals I set myself this is certainly one of them, so it would be lovely to tick that off.

“I got close at the Australian Open but I’m just having fun, I’m still learning, still enjoying it and I’m meeting some great people along the way.”

Catch up on all of ‘The Right Line’ episodes via Apple, Spotify, Google or Anchor.

The 2023 Nationals will run from October 6-20, 2023, with live streaming to take place on Bowls Australia’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

The 2023 Nationals in Perth, Western Australia is proudly supported by Tourism Western Australia, City of Joondalup, and the State government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Lotterywest in Western Australia. Sport and recreation creates vibrant, inclusive and connected WA communities.

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