Malta’s Rebecca Rixon will be hoping to go one better than her sister Connie when she competes in the World Bowls Junior Indoor Championship in Hong Kong, China.
Connie was silver medallist in the World Bowls Indoor Championship in Guernsey in April.
Now her younger sister Rebecca, with whom she won a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the fours with mum Rose and teammate Sharon Callus, plus silver in the pairs at last year’s World Championships, is competing in the junior event at Hong Kong Football Club, December 2-8.
World Bowls media officer Ceris Hewlings caught up with Rebecca, 23, to find out about the sisters’ love of bowls.
WB: What are you most looking forward to at the World Bowls Junior Indoor Championship?
RR: I am very much looking forward to the level of competition, the culture and see friends I have made over the years playing internationally.
WB: How have you been preparing?
RR: Lots of training that involves drills and training alongside of my sister who is my biggest competitor and supporter of my bowls career.
WB: Your sister Connie won silver in the senior event in Guernsey in April, is there family friendly rivalry to go one better?
RR: Yes, we have had friendly rivalry over the years which helps our training and goal setting for upcoming competitions. However, our whole family are super proud of Connie and her achievements. We are all supportive of all her goals big and small. However, trust when I say that watching family playing in huge competitions can be more stressful and nerve-racking than actually playing in them myself.
WB: What does it mean to you to be part of a successful bowls family?
RR: I am very honoured and proud of all that we have achieved. We all know what we have gone through over the years and having to complete our university studies with part time work to now working full time and fitting in the overseas travel it’s thankfully extremely rewarding. We all have a healthy respect for each other and are extremely supportive. It is also very rare to be able to say I can enjoy this sport with my sister, mother and father and I am super grateful to have a love for a sport that I can experience with them.
WB: What’s news with bowls in Malta? Connie told us of plans for a new green back in April. How is that progressing?
RR: Yes, Malta has plans for a new green which is still being completed and a work in progress. Through group calls and travelling to Malta it has been progressing well. World Bowls have been very instrumental helping to get much needed bowls gear to us as we are such a small MNA. Its hopeful we will have school programs up and running in the near future, with upcoming junior bowlers and events.
WB: You played in this event 12 months ago in Scotland, what are you hoping to build on for your 2024 campaign?
RR: I am working toward representing Malta to the best of my ability and playing well. Making it to the finals is the my main focus and coming away being in the top three would be great.
WB: Will you have any family support in Hong Kong?
RR: Yes, I have my amazing mother joining me for this event who is a great lawn bowler herself and our manager. Our head coach Joe Saragozza who is a massive part of my success playing for Malta Bowls will also be by my side on the bowls green. Lucky for me, I have also a lot of family and friends who will be supporting me from home watching any live streaming that is available.
The 2024 World Bowls Indoor Championship event takes place between December 2-8.
For more information regarding event, see www.worldbowls.com
For more information regarding event, contact: Neil Dalrymple, CEO, World Bowls, [email protected]
Caption: Connie and Rebecca won silver in the 2023 World Championships women’s pairs
Author: Ceris Hewlings, World Bowls media officer
