Cook Islands Bowls have named their squad for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games to be held from July 28 to August 8 in England.

The national federation last week named a 10-member men’s and women’s teams to compete at the Games held once every four years.

Cook Islands Bowls is targeting at least two medals at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

Cook Islands Bowls is the first and only local federation to win a medal at the event after Taiki Paniani and Aidan Zittersteijn won the country’s first ever Commonwealth Games medal – bronze – in the men’s pairs lawn at the 2018 Games.

Zittersteijn has been retained in the national men’s team for this year’s Games.

The other members in the men’s team include Royden Aperau, Jason Lindsay, Phillip Tangi Jim and Alex Kairua. Tere Williams has been named as non-travelling reserve.

Nooroa Mataio, Matapa Studd Puia, Tiare Jim, Emily Jim and Tai Tangi Jim have been named in the women’s squad. Anna Kairua and Tereapii Urlich are the non-travelling reserves.

The travelling administration are Papatua Papatua (men manager), Mene Rennie (ladies manager) and national coach Phillip Urlich.

President of Cook Islands Bowls, Unakea Kauvai said: “We are extremely happy with the selection. Good mixture of youth and experience in the team that has been selected, we are looking forward to the coming months of training and upskilling as we prepare for the Commonwealth Games.”

“I wish to acknowledge the work done by our team of selectors, Tatuava Tou, Irene Foster, Larry Tumai and national head coach Phillip Urlich.”

According to Cook Islands Bowls, 20 of our top ladies and men bowlers competed for 10 spots in the national trials.

“Skill was put to the test especially knowing that our greens run at a speed quite similar to those which will be played on in Birmingham,” the federation said.

“The selected team will now begin their training before the team departs early July to be able to arrive two weeks before the Games to be able to train and acclimatise well enough to be as well prepared as possible for the Games.

“As a sport we are proud to know that of the 17 athletes heading over from the Cook Islands, our sport makes up 10 of those spots.

“With a goal of trying to secure at least two medals of any colour, we have set high expectations for our team.”

Cook Islands Bowls National Team: Men – Royden Aperau, Jason Lindsay, Aidan Zittersteijn, Phillip Tangi Jim, Alex Kairua, Tere Williams – non travelling reserve. Ladies – Nooroa Mataio, Matapa Studd Puia, Tiare Jim Emily Jim, Tai Tangi Jim. Anna Kairua – non travelling reserve, Tereapii Urlich – non travelling reserve. Travelling Administration – Papatua Papatua – Men Manager, Mene Rennie – Ladies Manager, National Coach – Phillip Urlich.