52nd TBA President’s Junior Shield – Award Wrap🛡️
By Matt Stevens
📍 Suncity Tenpin, Alexandra Headland — 2026 TBA National Junior Championships
The shields have been handed out, the dinner has wrapped, and the 52nd TBA President’s Junior Shield is officially in the history books. Here is the full rundown of the individual honours from the 2026 event — the All-Stars, the Sportsperson Awards, and the Chairperson Award.
Missed the action? Catch up on the full results below.
Quick Links
⭐ Male All-Star Team
The Male All-Star Team is awarded to the five highest averages in the boy’s division across the event, with a minimum of two thirds of games completed required for eligibility.
Luca McPherson (South Queensland)
The draftee from South Queensland was the standout performer of the male division across three days, topping the individual standings from start to finish. A remarkable Shield debut.
| Average | 220.8 |
| Games | 20 |
| Record | 14-6-0 |
| Win rate | 70% |
| High Game | 269 |
Tyler Clarkson (South Queensland)
The Junior Australian Masters finalist carried his NJC26 form deep into Shield and played a central role in South Queensland’s dramatic final-game male tile win.
| Average | 217.5 |
| Games | 19 |
| Record | 13-5-1 |
| Win rate | 68.4% |
| High Game | 257 |
William Zaccaria (Victoria 1)
The reigning Junior Australian Masters champion was one of the most consistent performers of Shield across all three days, anchoring Victoria 1’s title tilt.
| Average | 212.6 |
| Games | 18 |
| Record | 14-4-0 |
| Win rate | 77.8% |
| High Game | 244 |
Flynn Slade (Victoria 1)
The highest win rate of any All-Star recipient and the most games bowled in the male division – Slade was Victoria 1’s workhorse across the full 20 games.
| Average | 204.8 |
| Games | 19 |
| Record | 15-4-0 |
| Win rate | 78.9% |
| High Game | 244 |
Lachlan Spencer (South Australia)
The Classic Cup champion brought his NJC26 form into Shield and rounds out an All-Star five that features bowlers from three different teams.
| Average | 203.8 |
| Games | 20 |
| Record | 11-9-0 |
| Win rate | 55% |
| High Game | 289 |
⭐ Female All-Star Team
Stephanie Jarrott (Victoria 1)
Bowled every single game of Shield across all three days and led the female division from the opening session. The backbone of Victoria 1’s female division title campaign.
| Average | 198.9 |
| Games | 21 |
| Record | 17-4-0 |
| Win rate | 81% |
| High Game | 267 |
Bella Westlake (South Queensland)
Matched Jarrott game-for-game in both total games and win rate across the entire event, and was South Queensland’s most important player throughout.
| Average | 193.9 |
| Games | 21 |
| Record | 17-4-0 |
| Win rate | 81% |
| High Game | 268 |
Elouise Cocks (Victoria 1)
The newly crowned Junior Australian Masters champion carried her title-winning form into Shield and was a key contributor to Victoria 1’s female division title.
| Average | 189.5 |
| Games | 21 |
| Record | 15-5-1 |
| Win rate | 71.4% |
| High Game | 247 |
Emily Starkey (North Queensland)
The Classic Cup champion and Junior Australian Masters finalist was North Queensland’s standout performer across Shield, bookending a remarkable individual week at NJC26.
| Average | 186.5 |
| Games | 20 |
| Record | 10-10-0 |
| Win rate | 50% |
| High Game | 245 |
Abby George (South Australia)
A consistent and composed performer for South Australia across three days, George rounds a female All-Star five that spans four different teams.
| Average | 181.8 |
| Games | 21 |
| Record | 13-7-1 |
| Win rate | 61.9% |
| High Game | 226 |
🏅 Jason Belmonte Sportsperson Awards
Sponsored by Australian bowling legend Jason Belmonte – a supporter of this award for over a decade – the Sportsperson Awards are voted by team managers on a 3-2-1 preference system, recognising the players they witnessed displaying outstanding sportsmanship throughout the event. It is one of the most meaningful individual honours at Shield.
Male Recipient – Zane Rahim
A fitting recognition for a bowler who embodied everything this award stands for. Zane Rahim competed with energy, grace and genuine team spirit across three days – a well-deserved winner.
Female Recipient – Bella Westlake
Bella Westlake’s Shield week was as complete as it gets – elite individual performance matched with the kind of attitude and sportsmanship that earns the respect of opponents as well as teammates. A deserving recipient of the Belmonte Award.
🏅 President’s Shield Chairperson Award
Selected by the TBA Chairperson Graham Pearson, to a bowler who exemplifies the spirit of the event – factoring in points won, games played, event average and pins bowled over average.
Recipient – Emily Starkey (North Queensland)
Emily Starkey’s NJC26 has been nothing short of extraordinary – and the Chairperson Award is a fitting final chapter to a week that saw her claim the Classic Cup title, lead the Girls qualifying field into the Junior Australian Masters, and compete throughout the Shield with the kind of consistency and composure that makes selectors take notice. Bowling 20 games for a 10-10-0 record at a 186.5 average as the fourth-placed female All-Star, Starkey represented North Queensland with distinction from the first day of competition to the last. A thoroughly deserved recognition.
🏅Most Points Won
New to the 52nd President’s Junior Shield this year, the Most Points Won award recognises the bowler in each division who contributed the most individual match points for their team across the event.
In a fitting debut for the award, both divisions produced a tie – meaning four bowlers share the honour in 2026. Each recipient takes home a $100 voucher, courtesy of TBA supporters New Balance and Belgravia Apparel.
Girls Division
- Stephanie Jarrott (VIC1) – 17 points (17-4-0 record)
- Bella Westlake (SQ) – 17 points (17-4-0 record)
Boys Division
- Flynn Slade (VIC1) – 15 points (15-4-0 record)
- Caleb Nish (NQ) – 15 points (15-4-0 record)
Congratulations to all four recipients.
🎉 Closing the Chapter on NJC26
The 52nd TBA President’s Junior Shield brought the curtain down on what has been a memorable 2026 TBA National Junior Championships at Suncity Tenpin on the Sunshine Coast.
From Championship Squads through to the Restricted Cup, Classic Cup, Junior Australian Masters and finally the Shield – the 2026 NJC delivered champions, records, dramatic finishes and moments that will stay with those who were there for a long time.
Congratulations to every competitor, coach, manager, official and family member who made NJC26 what it was. See you next year.
Check out National Junior Championships Hub for all the results of NJC2026 and we will share some more photos later this week.
