The Cook Islands will be participating at the 2023 World Bowling Tournament hosted in the Gold Coast, Australia from August 29 to September 10, 2023.

The team is made up of players from Rarotonga, Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.

The men’s team includes Royden Aperau (Rar), Taiki Bosco Paniani (NZ), Adoni Wichman Rairoa (Aust), Aidan Zittersteijn (NZ), Teora Turua (NZ) while the ladies’ team will have Tai Jim (Rar), Emily Jim (Rar), Tiare Jim (Rar), Philomina Akaruru Ieremia (NZ) and Rima Strickland (NZ).

Bowling Cook Islands noted that this selection is a mixture of young and very experienced team members and is proud of the team representing the country at the international level.

Most of these players have competed at the Oceania Games, Commonwealth Games and the World Champs. These players are also playing at club and national tournaments in Rarotonga, New Zealand and Australia.

Bowling Cook Islands president Unakea Kauvai said: “I feel we have a wealth of experience in the players representing our country at this world championship.”

Cook Islands will be participating in all four disciplines – single, pairs, triples and fours – both in the men’s and women. 

Anthony Turua and Sandra Zittersteijn will be managing the team.

After the World Championship Tournament, two bowlers Tere Daniel and Tai Jim will remain in the Gold Coast to participate in the World Singles Champion of Champions from September 11 to September 16.

The Rarotonga-based players were hosted by the bowling members on Saturday evening at the Rarotonga Bowling Club.

The team will also be hosted by the Queensland Cook Islands based community during the World Bowling Tournament.

“The Bowls Cook Islands would like to extend our sincere meitaki maata to our sponsors Onu, and bowling members of all the island clubs for your support towards our fundraising and not forgetting our NZ Cook Islands Bowling Association and Sandra Zittersteijn.”

The Men’s Team (Pairs and Triples) will be facing Macao, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Wales, South Africa, Niue, Falkland, Philippines, Malta, Sweden, PNG, and Switzerland in the opening week. In the second week, the Singles and Fours side will take on South Africa, New Zealand, Fiji, Namibia, Macao, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, India, Singapore, Falkland and USA.

The Women’s team (Singles and Fours) will be facing England, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Zimbabwe, PNG, Ireland, France, Brazil, Wales, and Scotland in the opening week. Its Pairs and Triples teams will take on New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Switzerland, Kenya, Jersey, India, Macao, Botswana, Wales, Canada, Malaysia, Scotland, and Japan in week two.