Gun WA bowler Matt Mitchell confident he can win national champion of champions singles title for Emu Point

Outstanding Emu Point bowler Matt Mitchell is quietly confident he can win the Bowls Australia Champion of Champions title in Queensland next week.

Mitchell has long been a star competitor in WA but will compete at this particular national event for the first time, as the eight State champions face off in singles divisions for both men and women.

After winning the Emu Point singles championship in February, Mitchell progressed to the State finals and won that event in May to book his place at the nationals.

Mitchell will fly to Queensland on Tuesday before taking part in the two-day competition at Broadbeach Bowls Club against the best singles players in Australia.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Mitchell said.

“You’ve got to win your club singles, then win States and I’ve been runner-up twice and made some semis and quarters so it was nice to finally crack it at States this year.

“I haven’t done it (representative competition) for a couple of years.

“It is a pretty hot field but I’m quietly confident that if I play good I’ll win.”

Mitchell said he felt prepared as best he can despite being out of regular bowls season here in Albany.

“It has been difficult,” he said.

“Going from our non-bowling season where most other States are in the middle of their season.

“I took a full break for the winter and didn’t touch a ball.

“Then about six weeks ago I started training at Emu Point.

“I managed to enter three tournaments and did pretty well in those and then had a major singles event last week and got to the semifinal but had to forfeit because our daughter had a seizure at home.

“The preparation is the best I can get.”

Mitchell will commence his campaign against Northern Territory’s Trystan Smallacombe on Friday morning.

He has four matches on Friday and then three on Saturday to help decider the winner.

The national champion will earn the right to represent Australia at the World Champion of Champions singles event in 2023.

“This is my opportunity,” Mitchell said.

“I pulled out of representative bowls a couple of years ago and now I’m here at Emu Point the path to represent Australia is through something like this.

“It’s pretty exciting not only for me but for Emu Point.”

Mitchell said he wouldn’t be able to get to Queensland without the support of many in Albany.

“The support I’ve received from Emu Point in the last six-10 weeks has been outstanding,” he said.

“Also the financial support from people.

“It is quite a cost to get over there and you are not working while you are away so it can be a financial burden.

“Ray White Rural Albany have jumped on to sponsor me, John and Julie Hetherington and I can’t thank them enough.”

The national competition will be live-streamed on the Bowls Australia Facebook page.