Young bowler on a roll

MILDURA-born bowler Isaiah Bettess has added another yet another accolade to his growing list of achievements.

The 18-year-old is October’s Northern Mallee Sports Star of the Year winner, after he was nominated by the Mildura Bowls Club.

Bettess excelled at the School Sport Australia Bowls Championships at Tweed Heads in September.

At the event, Bettess lost just one singles game and proved a pivotal piece for the Victorian team who defeated NSW 46.5 to 25.5 to claim victory.

Subsequently, he was selected in the All Australian team.

“It’s such a good achievement, I’m hoping I can keep up my strong run of form,” Bettess said.

“I didn’t know the club had nominated me so it was a bit of a surprise when I received a phone call from one of the guys at the Mallee Sports Assembly … I only found out on Monday.”

At the local level, Bettess has also contributed strongly.

He played a significant role in the Sunraysia Bowls Division One Pennant-winning team and contributed to the silver section team who won at the Victorian Regional Sides Championships in April.

Bettess continued his winning streak at Bowls Sunraysia Winter Singles in July, as well as Bowls Sunraysia State Fours in September.

The Mildura Senior College student, who recently completed his Year 12 exams, said he looked forward to “taking it easy” now that his secondary education was complete.

“It was very tricky trying to balance everything while studying as well,” he said.

“Just gonna go with the flow for now, possibly go to university or TAFE next year and probably get a job but for now I’m enjoying some relaxation time.”

As the October winner, Bettess received a voucher sponsored by Intersport and he is eligible for the 2023 Community Bank Merbein & District 97.9 Triple M Northern Mallee Sports Star of the Year Awards, on Friday February 16, at the Club Da Vinci, Mildura.

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