Asia Pacific Championships to put Black Jacks to the Test

A mix of old and new faces will take to the Adelaide greens tomorrow as the Black Jacks face down the best bowlers in the region at the 2011 Asia Pacific Championships. Fresh from her historic victory at the World Singles Champion of Champions tournament, Jo Edwards will be leading the women's side while veteran international bowlers Richard Girvan and Ali Forsyth will head the men's.

This year's new blood, Leanne Curry and Tony Grantham, will be put to the test as they don the silver fern and look for glory in the Triples and Fours. Having already proven himself a bowler to be reckoned with at this year's World Singles Champion of Champions, Shaun Scott will be looking to make an international name for himself in Adelaide.

Running from November 30 until December 11, the bi-annual event brings together 15 countries from around the region to compete in all disciplines, and is a precursor to the World Championships to be held in Adelaide next year.

The tournament will also be played on the very same greens (Lockleys and Holdfast Bay bowling clubs) as the 2012 World Championships, giving the assembled Black Jacks team a chance to come to grips with the conditions as they eye an even bigger prize in 2012.

From among the great bowling nations in Asia and the Pacific, 15 men’s and 13 women’s teams will come together to roll-up in a section and knockout post-section format for the chance at filling New Zealand's already full medal coffers this year.

Accolades are given to the winners, runners up and semi finals in each discipline, and an overall team trophy is awarded to the country with the best aggregated results in each gender category.

Participating Countries:

Men's Teams:

New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Fiji, Hong Kong China, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Norfolk Island, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore and United States of America.

Women's Teams:

New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Fiji, Hong Kong China, Japan, Malaysia, Norfolk Island, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore and United States of America.

Black Jacks Team:

Women's Team - Singles: Val Smith Pairs: Val Smith (Lead), Jo Edwards (Skip), Triples: Leanne Curry (Lead), Genevieve Baildon, Jan Khan (Skip) Fours: Leanne Curry (Lead), Genevieve Baildon, Jan Khan, Jo Edwards (Skip).

Men's Team - Singles: Shaun Scott Pairs: Dan Delany (Lead), Richard Girvan (Skip) Triples: Tony Grantham (Lead), Shaun Scott and Ali Forsyth (Skip) Fours: Tony Grantham (Lead), Dan Delany, Ali Forsyth, Richard Girvan (Skip).

Coaching Team– National Coach: Dave Edwards Assistant Coaches: Terry Scott and Raelene Peters.