2025 TBA National Teams Challenge Wrap Up
By Matt Stevens
The 2025 TBA50 National Teams Challenge has officially come to a close after three days of outstanding bowling at the TBA National High Performance Centre on the Sunshine Coast. Across Singles, Doubles, and Teams, the event delivered tight finishes, standout individual performances, and gripping team battles that kept the leaderboard shifting right until the final frame.
North Queensland’s powerhouse women, NSW/ACT’s dominant men, and New Zealand’s consistency across both squads set the tone for a compelling 2025 edition.
Overall Combined Champions
🥇 North Queensland – 1,013 points
🥈 NSW/ACT – 890 points
🥉 New Zealand – 875 points
North Queensland were the story of the week, claiming the Overall Combined Title with a complete balanced performance across all three days. Their women were exceptional from the outset, collecting medals in every discipline and producing a clutch Teams gold on the final day. The men matched that energy with steady scoring and key contributions across Singles, Doubles and Teams, lifting North Queensland to a commanding total of 1,013 points and the 2025 title. Managed by Julie Smallwood this year, Queensland has now won five overall titles at the TBA50 National Teams Challenge in the 18-year history, but this is the first year North Queensland will be the specific title holders.
NSWACT secured the runners-up position after an outstanding campaign led by their dominant men’s team, who completed a rare clean sweep of Singles, Doubles and Teams. With both Troy Byrne and Jamie Carroll finishing at the top of the All-Events standings, NSW/ACT delivered the most powerful male showing of the tournament, finishing with 890 points overall.
New Zealand rounded out the podium in third place on 875 points, producing a strong and balanced performance across the week. Their men and women were consistently inside the top five, and their silver in the Men’s Teams event capped off an impressive showing from the visitors.
Male Overall Standings
🥇 NSW/ACT – 508 points
🥈 New Zealand – 486 points
🥉 North Queensland – 431 points
NSW/ACT dominated the men’s competition from start to finish, completing gold medals in Singles, Doubles, Teams and All-Events to finish as deserved Men’s Division Champions with 508 points. Led by All-Events winner Troy Byrne and runner-up Jamie Carroll, the squad produced the highest-scoring performances of the event and delivered one of the strongest male campaigns in Challenge history.
The achievement breaks a near decade drought without a male division title. The last coming in 2016 when hosted at Tenpin City in their home state. This is New South Wales third male division title in the history of the event.
New South Wales Mens Team
- Troy Byrne
- Jamie Carroll
- Michael Smidt
- Paul Korte
- Tina Hohmuth – Manager
New Zealand claimed second place with 486 points, showcasing their trademark consistency and pushing NSW/ACT throughout the week. Their silver medal in the Teams of Four highlighted the quality and depth of the Kiwi lineup.
North Queensland took third place on 431 points, built through reliable contributions in every discipline and a top-four finish in the Teams event.
Female Overall Standings
🥇 North Queensland – 582 points
🥈 Victoria – 510 points
🥉 Northern Territory – 438 points
North Queensland were the benchmark in the Women’s Division, producing medal-winning performances across all three disciplines to secure the Female title with 582 points. With standout contributions from Suz Wenzel, Shirly Wrathmall, Karen Smith, and Heather Robertson, North Queensland were too strong to overcome.
In a division that has been largely dominated by Victoria who has claimed ten of the 18 female division titles, this is the second time a Queensland team has won the female division. The last time came in 2008 at the Canberra International Bowl where a Queensland Invitational team took the honours. This is the first title with North Queensland specifically.
North Queensland Female Team
- Shirley Wrathmall
- Heather Robertson
- Suz Wenzel
- Karen Smith
- Julie Smallwood – Manager
Victoria finished second with 510 points, delivering consistent scoring across the board and pushing NQ right to the end with a strong teams performance on Day 3.
Northern Territory claimed third on 438 points, powered by their bronze in doubles and teams, and the outstanding work of Kellie Hart, who would go on to win the Female All-Events title.
Singles
Male Singles
🥇 Troy Byrne (NSW/ACT)
🥈 Jamie Carroll (NSW/ACT)
🥉 Barry Clarke (SA)
Female Singles
🥇 Leanne Rankin (NSW/ACT)
🥈 Robyn Flynn (VIC)
🥉 Suz Wenzel (NQ)
Doubles
Male Doubles
🥇 Jamie Carroll & Troy Byrne (NSW/ACT)
🥈 Barry Clarke & Ben Muir (SA)
🥉 Terry Mustchin & Mike Gibbs (NZ)
Female Doubles
🥇 Heather Robertson & Suz Wenzel (NQ)
🥈 Karen Smith & Shirley Wrathmall (NQ)
🥉 Broni Morgan & Kellie Hart (NT)
Teams of Four
Male Teams
🥇 NSW/ACT – 4,692
🥈 New Zealand – 4,486
🥉 Tasmania – 4,474
Female Teams
🥇 North Queensland – 4,270
🥈 Victoria – 4,255
🥉 Northern Territory – 4,187
All-Events / All-Stars
Female All-Events
🥇 Kellie Hart (NT) – 3,442
🥈 Karen Commane (TAS) – 3,423
🥉 Suz Wenzel (NQ) – 3,376
⭐ Lyndell Ballis (SA) – 3,312
Male All-Events
🥇 Troy Byrne (NSW/ACT) – 3,846
🥈 Jamie Carroll (NSW/ACT) – 3,804
🥉 Ben Muir (SA) – 3,638
⭐ Terry Mustchin (NZ) – 3,565
Special Awards (Presentation Dinner)
The teams wrapped up their week with a presentation dinner last night. A meal, camaraderie, and the presentation of medals and awards the focus of the evening.
Sportsperson Awards
Voted by their peers throughout the challenge as the bowlers that expressed the best sportsmanship. Barry Clarke (SA) won the male award this year with good friend Leon Brady accepting the award on his behalf and Jo King (NZ) won the award again!
All-Stars
Male Division
Female Division
Male Division
Female Division
Overall Division
The 2025 TBA50 National Teams Challenge showcased everything that makes this event special: high-level competition, resilience, and the camaraderie that brings bowlers from across the country and region together. Congratulations to all medal winners, All-Stars, and champion teams, and thank you to every bowler, manager, official and supporter for making this year’s Challenge an unforgettable success. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2026.
