Australia set for 2026 IBF World Youth Championships in Kuching
By Matt Stevens
Australia’s next generation of tenpin bowlers is preparing to take on the world at the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships, to be held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia from 27 June to 7 July.
Hosted at the Megalanes Sarawak Bowling Centre, the Championships will bring together leading youth athletes from around the globe, with Australia among 33 confirmed participating federations.
The Australian team will compete across Singles, Doubles, Team, and Mixed Team events, with competition beginning on Sunday 28 June following official practice and the Opening Ceremony.
Team Australia
Australia will be represented by:
| Bella Westlake |
| Brianna Walsh |
| Emily Hart |
| Samantha Clifton |
| Blake Walsh |
| Jackson Buckingham |
| Julian Dinham |
| Nicholas Rajkovic |
| Head Coach: Cameron Walsh |
| Manager: Janine Buckingham |
Head coach Cameron Walsh heads into another campaign excited about the upcoming opportunities.
“Representing Australia at a World Youth Championships is a significant opportunity for these athletes. They have earned their place through strong performances at home, and overseas in college programs, and this event gives them the chance to test themselves against the world’s best young bowlers. We are proud of the group, the way they have prepared and the way they will represent the country in Malaysia.”
“The squad is a talented and close-knit group, and we are looking forward to seeing them embrace the challenge across the championships.”
A major global test
The World Youth Championships provide Australia’s young athletes with an opportunity to test themselves against the best youth bowlers in the world.
The event will feature athletes from across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the America’s.
Competition begins with the Singles events, before moving through Doubles, Team and Mixed Team competition across the following week.
Participating Federations
| Country | Zone | |
| 1 | China | ABF |
| 2 | Chinese Taipei | ABF |
| 3 | Hong Kong | ABF |
| 4 | Indonesia | ABF |
| 5 | Japan | ABF |
| 6 | Korea | ABF |
| 7 | Macau | ABF |
| 8 | Malaysia | ABF |
| 9 | Philippines | ABF |
| 10 | Qatar | ABF |
| 11 | Saudi Arabia | ABF |
| 12 | Singapore | ABF |
| 13 | Thailand | ABF |
| 14 | United Arab Emirates | ABF |
| 15 | Vietnam | ABF |
| 16 | Czech Republic | EBF |
| 17 | Finland | EBF |
| 18 | Italy | EBF |
| 19 | Lithuania | EBF |
| 20 | Romania | EBF |
| 21 | Russia | EBF |
| 22 | Scotland | EBF |
| 23 | Spain | EBF |
| 24 | Sweden | EBF |
| 25 | Switzerland | EBF |
| 26 | Turkey | EBF |
| 27 | Australia | OBF |
| 28 | Guam | OBF |
| 29 | New Zealand | OBF |
| 30 | Canada | PanAm |
| 31 | Mexico | PanAm |
| 32 | Peru | PanAm |
| 33 | United States | PanAm |
How the Championships Work
Athletes will first compete in qualifying rounds, with the leading performers progressing to group match play.
In Singles, athletes bowl six qualifying games, with the top 16 advancing to group match play. The top two athletes from each group then progress to the semi-finals.
Doubles, Team and Mixed Team events use Baker-format competition with the top 16 teams progressing from qualifying into group match play before the semi-finals and finals.
Medals will be awarded in Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Men’s Team, Women’s Team and Mixed Team.
Key dates in Australian time
| Day | Date | What’s On |
| Saturday | 27-Jun | Official Practice and Opening Ceremony |
| Sunday | 28-Jun | Singles |
| Monday | 29-Jun | Singles |
| Tuesday | 30-Jun | Doubles |
| Wednesday | 1-Jul | Doubles |
| Thursday | 2-Jul | Men’s Team |
| Friday | 3-Jul | Women’s Team |
| Saturday | 4-Jul | Mixed Team |
| Sunday | 5-Jul | Singles and Doubles Semi-Finals |
| Monday | 6-Jul | Finals and Medal Ceremonies |
| Tuesday | 7-Jul | Departure Day |
Kuching, Malaysia is two hours behind Brisbane. For example, a 9:00am local start in Kuching is an 11:00am start in Brisbane. All schedule times will be communicated each day on our hub in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Kuching, Malaysia operates two hours behind Brisbane (AEST) during the Championships.
Preparations underway for Team Australia
Team Australia’s final preparations for the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships began in Logan, Brisbane on Monday, with the group coming together ahead of its departure for Kuching, Malaysia.
On Tuesday evening, Tenpin Bowling Australia Chief Executive Officer Kurt Wilson and National Bowling & Operations Manager Nathan Stein visited Logan Tenpin Bowl to present the athletes with their Team Australia uniforms.
“It was a privilege to spend time with the team before they departed for Kuching.” Wilson said.
“These athletes have earned the opportunity to represent Australia on the world stage, and it was great to see the enthusiasm, commitment and connection already developing within the group. We wish them the best of luck as they take on this challenge in the green and gold.”
The team then hit the lanes for a friendly Boys vs Girls Baker-format match, with the boys narrowly claiming bragging rights ahead of the Championships.
Following the Brisbane camp, Team Australia commenced its journey to Malaysia via a four-leg flight, arriving in Kuching late on Wednesday evening.
The group has since settled into its Championships base and completed its first two-hour unofficial practice session on Thursday. A further practice session is scheduled for Friday, ahead of the Team Managers’ Meeting, which will help finalise key details before official practice and the Opening Ceremony on Saturday.
Singles competition begins on Sunday, 28 June, with Team Australia ready to begin its World Youth Championships campaign.
Follow Team Australia
The Team Australia hub will be updated throughout the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships with daily news, results, schedule information and links to official event coverage.
Stay tuned as Australia’s best young bowlers prepare to represent the green and gold on the world stage in Kuching.
