Golden summer: Olivia Cartwright capped off her underage bowls career with three titles at the recent under-18 state championships.
Photo by
Naomi Cartwright
Looking around the room at the annual Goulburn Valley Playing Area presentation night at East Shepparton Bowls Club last week, it was a who’s who of local bowls legends.
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But among those distinguished legends was the bright young face of Olivia Cartwright, who after a golden summer of bowls watched on with great interest as four new members joined a hall of fame she one day hopes to enter.
Following in the footsteps of her bowls-crazy parents, Cartwright has always lived for the green.
Competing for the Goulburn Murray Devils at the recent under-18 state championships in Bendigo, she was a standout, finishing the week with three titles.
In what was her final event at under-18 level, she made it three crowns on the trot in the state singles, while also playing a huge role in pairs and triples triumphs for the GV team.
“To come away with three gold was just unbelievable, at the start of the week I was just aiming to win the singles, so the rest came as a massive bonus,” Cartwright said of her week at the state championships.
“I think just to play alongside the people that I’ve played alongside has just been incredible and shows what talent is around the region.
“It definitely has been one hell of an underage career and to be able to cap it off the way I did at states was just awesome.”
Success at the state championships was just the tip of the iceberg for Cartwright this year, who enjoyed a break out season for Tatura-Hill Top at pennant level.
Partnering her father David in the Bulldogs division one midweek title, along with teaming up with mother Naomi for a region triples championship, she said the summer had been nothing short of special.
Climbing the ranks: Olivia Cartwright is one to watch for local bowls fans.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
“It’s been a year I’ll never forget,” she said.
“Playing pennant with Tatura-Hill Top and winning our first midweek title in division one was just incredible.
“And then to go out and not only play with, but win a title with Mum in the triples was just second to none and is something we can brag to Dad about.
“It is a sport that can allow for those interactions with families, there is no way I’d play a different sport with both Mum and Dad, which is what makes bowls so special to me.”
What makes her feats in bowls all the more special is the fact that she has been juggling her sporting commitments with her Year 12 studies.
“It is a bit stressful on the school behalf, but they are really involved and encouraging and willing to allow me make those sacrifices,” she said.
“They understand this is my passion, this is my dream and they are willing to allow me to take the time off to chase that dream of a career in the sport.”
While the summer season is officially over, bowls does not stop for Cartwright, who will continue to represent the region at the open level.
“I have got the state triples in Bendigo with Mum and then from there have the city versus country ladies tournament, so it is a pretty busy schedule,” she said.
“Obviously there is no more under-18s for me any more, it is the ladies sides, so I am keen to challenge myself at that higher level and push for the Australian Open in Queensland.
“To play alongside some of my idols in Kylie Whitehead it is a dream come true, and I can’t wait for the next step of my journey.”
As for her long-term goals in the sport, she has one clear objective in mind.
“Hopefully the Commonwealth Games now they are coming to regional Victoria, but one day my goal is to put on that green and gold and represent Australia,” she said.
“I want to be an advocate for juniors in the sport and hopefully help other young ones pursue their dreams.”
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