Four of Sturt's elite bowlers - Izzy Trenorden, Alex Smith, Richard Weeks and Shane Ettridge - are currently competing at the Australian Open in the Gold Coast.
Shane Ettridge provided this excellent report on the first day's action, with Izzy and Richard performing in the singles.
Shane's Report:
Sunny Gold Coast Bowls Trip Report - Day 1
The Sturt contingent safely arrived on the sunny Gold Coast and settled into what can only be described as premium accommodation.
Located just 100 metres from the Broadbeach Bowls Club, the walk to the greens is so short that several team members are already questioning whether it counts as exercise.
The accommodation is excellent, providing a comfortable base for the team to recover, relax and debate the important issues of the day, such as where to eat, whose turn it is to buy coffee, and whether that last bowl was unlucky or simply a poor choice.
Competition got underway with Isaac and Richard representing the club in the singles. Both played some quality bowls throughout the day and were unlucky not to progress from their respective groups.
Matches could have gone either way, but unfortunately the bowls gods appeared to have booked a holiday elsewhere.
Despite not advancing, both players represented Sturt with distinction and showed plenty of grit against strong opposition.
Their efforts have provided a solid platform for the remainder of the tournament and, perhaps more importantly, ensured they have plenty of stories about how close they came.
With Day 1 complete, team morale remains high.
The weather has been magnificent, the accommodation has exceeded expectations.
The team now looks ahead to the coming days of competition with confidence, determination and a healthy appreciation for the Gold Coast lifestyle.