HE is lawns bowls royalty and has won just about everything possible but world number one Alex Marshall can’t wait to play alongside one of Dubbo’s brightest prospects.
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Scotsman Marshall arrived in town on Monday to take part in the Dubbo Masters Pairs tournament at Dubbo Railway Bowling Club this week.
With four Commonwealth Games gold medals, a record six indoor world titles and multiple outdoor world titles, there isn’t much left for Marshall to do but yesterday he spoke of his excitement about teaming up with Dubbo’s Jono Davis for the tournament.
Fifteen-year-old Davis represented Australia earlier this year and after hearing of his talent, Marshall is keen to see the prodigy for himself.
“It’s good to get an invitation here and I’m really looking forward to playing alongside young Jono,” he said.
“I’ve heard a lot about him and I believe he’s a great kid and I hear he’s got a great future ahead of him so it’s nice to be invited along to Dubbo and to partner Jono.”
Marshall, 48-years-old, began bowling with family members as an eight-year-old child, much like Davis, and since then has gone on to become one of the biggest global names in the sport.
As a school student, Marshall would go across the road and play at the Bowling Club opposite his school and he admitted yesterday he never imagined the type of success he’s had was possible.
“Instead of playing football or any other sport at lunchtime I’d just go across to the Bowling Club with my dad and granddad to bowl and after school was the same thing, so I was brought up with it from a very young age and I think that’s what bowlers need to do as youngsters,” he said.
“But I would never have dreamed of doing what I’ve done at that stage of my life.”
Marshall is one of many big names taking part in the Masters, leading to some people at the club yesterday declaring it was like playing at Wimbledon.
When asked about his career highlights, Marshall said it was hard to go past the gold medals but also highlighted a special honour bestowed upon him by the Queen as something he’ll never forget.
“Winning the World Indoor Singles for the sixth time was right up there with the best and any Commonwealth Games gold medal you get is a high point on your CV but getting an MBE from the Queen was probably the most exciting day I’ve ever had,” he said.
Day one of the competition began on Monday and despite having one of the most high profile teams on paper, Marshall doesn’t expect success to come easy.
“I believe it’s a hard competition but it’s always better playing in a hard competition because it’s better for your game,” he said.