Athlete In Focus – Bradley Thomas

Southern Sports Academy Lawn Bowls Squad member, Bradley Thomas, has this morning been announced in the Australian Under 18 Lawn Bowls Team, following his string of fine performances at the Australian Junior Titles held in Melbourne over the past five days.

Representing the ACT, Thomas was instrumental in ensuring his team contested the majority of the finals on offer, ensuring their best ever performance at the titles. This morning he teamed with Brayden Locke from the West Deacon Club in the bronze medal play-off in the Pairs against young gun Dylan Fisher and partner Thomas Webb of Victoria, where they narrowly went down by two shots. Thomas Webb is also a former Southern Sports Academy Lawn Bowls Squad member.

Bradley will be in a squad of 16 (8 boys and 8 girls) who will contest the Trans-Tasman Series against New Zealand early in 2012. In the meantime he will enjoy the expert tuition of Australian Junior Team Coach, Steve Glasson, who will devise specific training programs for each squad member as well as stage training camps leading into the series.

At only 15 years of age, Thomas can look forward to a very bright future, according to southern Sports Academy Executive Director, Greg McLay.

“He has really stamped his class over the past few days. His selection is thoroughly deserved and we are delighted for him and his family. His older brother Daniel and father Dave are very good bowlers themselves and his development has obviously been accelerated in that environment.  The Tumut Bowling Club, who have also been an integral part of his development, should also be very proud of his achievement.”