Emu Point bowling star Matt Mitchell reflects on “special” third male country bowler of the year medal

An elated Matt Mitchell netted his third male country bowler of the year title last month after a “frustrating year” on the regional greens. Mitchell was awarded the Vice Patron’s Medal at the Bowls WA awards night at Optus Stadium on May 30 after achieving consistently high results across the 2022-23 campaign, including the Bowls WA Men’s Country Week Championship singles title. He also finished runner-up in the State Fours competition and made the quarterfinals of the country week pairs tournament with fellow Albany bowler Jon Sharpe. However, the Emu Point star admitted he was shocked to receive the “special” medal which capped off a year that did not reach his lofty standards. “It is pretty special, it was surprising this one — I wasn’t expecting it,” Mitchell said. “It was one of the years that had a lot of almost results but obviously enough of the almost results to get the win. “I don’t really aim for it or anything like that but it’s always special, any award is special.” After finishing runner-up in the State Fours earlier in the season, Mitchell described his year of frustration as ending on a high note with the Country Week singles title. “It was just one of those years,” the 34-year-old said. “The State Fours was my main frustration, it’s my third runner-up in it and I haven’t managed to win it yet. “We just got pipped on the final day and it was just one of those things — it wasn’t meant to be. “It was a frustrating year but was capped off with the country week singles title which was good.” The top country gong is his third after triumphs in the 2021-22 and 2019-20 seasons and he has now set his sights on securing a spot in the WA State team for the national championships later this year. “I’ve put the bowls away and had some time off but now I’m training for State side this season,” he said. “I will train once a month in Perth with the State team and then if selected the State series on the Gold Coast in September. “I’ve started training and just will build up until the squad is announced and hopefully I am picked.” About 250 lead bowlers from across the State attended Bowls WA’s night of nights, with Cody Packer and Kristina Krstic claiming the top individual awards of the season, the Rosenthal Medal and Connie Hicks Brooch respectively.