Kirsten Edwards (nee Griffin) from Nelson has been added to the Blackjacks team for Novembers World Championships. She comes into the team as replacement for Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Mandy Boyd who has had to withdraw for personal reasons.
While the inform Boyd will be missed the excellent depth ofthe women's squad means that they are able to call on the very experienced Val Smith to now skip both the women's triples and fours. Edwards will therefore slot into Smith's previous positions.
Kirsten Edwards, whom many thought unlucky to miss out on original selection, now gets the chance to return to the greens of Christchurch where she has performed so well over recent times. At this year's Heartland Bank National Open Championships she was a finalist in the pairs and part of the championship winning fours. Her international debut at April's Trans-Tasman followed by her performance at the invitational Six Nations event were both very impressive.
In announcing Boyd's replacement Kerry Clark the Bowls New Zealand CEO stated that "while Mandy having to withdraw is unfortunate Kirsten has been part of the squad and team for the most recent international events so will, I'm sure, fit seamlessly into her roles with the triples and fours. In a way we are lucky this change has been made now and not right on the eve of the event. It means not only Kirsten, but the rest of the Blackjacks, can use the two upcoming camps and pre-event time to work on systems, processes and combinations."
