ONE of the country’s most promising young lawn bowlers is set to represent Australia.

Joey Clarke has been selected by Bowls Australia to represent his country at this year’s Oceania Challenge in November.

The 19-year-old from Toormina was selected to the ten-person team that will take on New Zealand and other Oceania nations in Auckland.

“It will mean a lot as it’s the first time wearing the green and gold, and hopefully it’s the first of many,” he said.

“Hopefully I can get selected for a few more of these tours, and then the main goal will be to make the Open side.”

Clarke will pair with Jack McShane, who he partnered with to win the Australian Open men’s pairs event.

He will also lead in the fours event.

Clarke’s Australian selection continues a great year on the greens that has also included winning the Park Beach Phoenix Pairs Championship.

He has played locally for both the Sawtell Bowling Club and Park Beach Bowls Club, and has spent the past 18 months playing for St Johns Park Bowling Club in the premier Sydney competition.

The talented bowler has won two national junior titles, having been a two-time Under 18s Australian champion.

He’ll head to New Zealand as part of the Performance Pathways team from the Right at Home Emerging and Pathways Jackaroos national squads.

World Bowls invited Australia to send a development team to the Oceania Challenge.

By Aiden BURGESS