Champions Crowned at 2025 Sydney Bowlfest

By Matt Stevens
October 13, 2025
FINAL RESULTS

Westlake sweeps female titles, Buttigieg breaks through on home lanes, and Buckingham delivers perfection in Shellharbour.

The 2025 Sydney Bowlfest delivered a weekend of high drama and standout performances at Shellharbour Tenpin Bowl, marking a milestone moment for both the event and the host venue.

A total of 12 games over two appearances was the mission for the nation’s top junior and youth bowlers who travelled to Barrack Heights, NSW, to contest the 47th Junior Sydney Cup and 18th Sydney Youth Cup.

It was a particularly special weekend for Shellharbour Tenpin, hosting its first TBA National Ranked event and helping make history as the first ranked event conducted on string pinsetters.

Junior Female

Queenslander Bella Westlake bowled with confidence and remarkable consistency throughout the weekend to produce a breakout performance.

Finishing on 2,604 after 12 games (an average of 217), Westlake not only claimed the Junior Sydney cup title but also swept the field to win the Sydney Youth Cup, becoming the weekend’s standout star.

Bowling nine 200+ scores out of 12 – including a 243 high game to open her second appearance – the 16-year-old was in rhythm from start to finish. For Bella, it’s the reward she’s been chasing in 2025 after a string of top 10 finishes, including a podium at the Louise Eady Melbourne Junior Cup earlier this year.

The maximum 100 ranking points will give the Queenslander a strong boost in the standings, with youth and women’s events still to come. Fellow Queenslander Jasmine Walker finished runner-up on 2,479, capping off her best performance of the year, while Victorian Elouise Cocks rounded out the podium with 2,398, continuing her steady rise after finishing fourth at the Australian Junior Masters.

Champion Journey – Bella Westlake

First Appearance – 6 Games
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  • Total – 1,296
  • Average – 216
Second Appearance – 6 Games
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  • Total – 1,308
  • Average – 218
  • Tournament Total – 2,604
  • Tournament Average – 217
  • High Game – 243

Top 10 Junior Division

  1. Bella Westlake (QLD) – 2,604
  2. Jasmine Walker (QLD) – 2,479
  3. Elouise Cocks (VIC) – 2,398
  4. Emily Starkey (QLD) – 2,353
  5. Brooke Buckingham (QLD) – 2,351
  6. Emily Hinspeter (QLD) – 2,348
  7. Brianna Walsh (NSW) – 2,288
  8. Sophie Jones (QLD ) – 2,239
  9. Summah Bennett (VIC) – 2,210
  10. Abby George (TAS) – 2,197
L-R – Elouise Cocks, Bella Westlake, Jasmine Walker

Youth Female

The Youth Female division mirrored the juniors almost perfectly, with Westlake and Walker once again finishing first and second.

Samantha Clifton joined the podium in third on 2,443, a result that strengthens her hold atop the national youth rankings with one event remaining on the 2025 calendar.

Top 10 Youth Female Division

  1. Bella Westlake (QLD) – 2,604
  2. Jasmine Walker (QLD) – 2,479
  3. Samantha Clifton (NSW) – 2,443
  4. Emily Starkey (QLD) – 2,353
  5. Brooke Buckingham (QLD) – 2,351
  6. Emily Hinspeter (QLD) – 2,348
  7. Amelie Perrin-Nitschke (VIC) – 2,320
  8. Tamika Pettigrew (QLD) – 2,300
  9. Brianna Walsh (NSW) – 2,288
  10. Tamarin Christensen (QLD) – 2,284
L-R – Jasmine Walker and Bella Westlake – Samantha Clifton (3rd) not present for photo
Samantha Clifton pictured earlier this year winning the QLD Ladies Classic

Junior Male

In front of his home crowd, Shellharbour local Joshua Buttigieg produced the best performance of his young career to capture his first national rankings title.

Turning 17 next month, Buttigieg averaged an outstanding 236.9 across 12 games for a total of 2,843, posting 11 games over 200 and a high of 267 on Day 1. His precision and consistency were key in holding off a late surge from Julian Dinham, who stormed home on Sunday with a 242,8 average, including back-to-back games of 268 and 279, to finish just 41 pins adrift on 2,802.

North Queenslander Kohan Davis completed the podium in third on 2,700, 143 pins behind the leader, securing his best finish for the year.

Buttigieg’s victory adds to a strong 2025 campaign that includes a fourth-place finish at the Queenslander Junior Cup and a runner-up result at the Louise Eady Melbourne Junior Cup – and now, a major breakthrough on home lanes.

Champion Journey – Joshua Buttigieg

First Appearance – 6 Games
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  • Total – 1,427
  • Average – 237.83
Second Appearance – 6 Games
218238255269192244
  • Total – 1,416
  • Average – 236
  • Tournament Total – 2,843
  • Tournament Average – 236.9
  • High Game – 269

Top 10 Male Junior Division

  1. Joshua Buttigieg (NSW) – 2,843
  2. Julian Dinham (NSW) – 2,802
  3. Kohan Davis (QLD) – 2,700
  4. Jake Donnelly (NSW) – 2,699
  5. Zayne Pirlo (NSW) – 2,681
  6. William Zaccaria (VIC) – 2,642
  7. Lachlan Howse (QLD) – 2,573
  8. Hayden Miller (QLD) – 2,564
  9. Flynn Slade (VIC) – 2,554
  10. Jeremy Buttigieg (NSW) – 2,507
L-R – Kohan Davis, Joshua Buttigieg, Julian Dinham

Youth Male

Like Westlake, Buttigieg entered both divisions and looked on track to claim the double before Queensland’s Jackson Buckingham delivered an unforgettable final day-comeback.

The 19-year-old from Logan City Tenpin averaging an incredible 244.3 over his final six games, highlighted by a perfect 300 game in the second game of Sunday’s block. Bowling with confidence after being selected for the upcoming IBF World Championships in Hong Kong, Buckingham surged past Buttigieg to capture his second title of 2025.

Jackson Buckingham 300

The result strengthens his position atop the national youth rankings, adding another maximum 100-point performance to his tally after earlier success at the TBA21 National Masters and a fourth-place finish at the season-opening Wyncity Youth Cup.

Buttigieg finished second – just six pins behind – while South Australian Liam Cochrane impressed with a 236 average to claim third, only 17 pins further back.

Jackson Buckingham earlier this year at the TBA21 National Masters

Champion Journey – Jackson Buckingham

First Appearance – 6 Games
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  • Total – 1,383
  • Average – 230.5
Second Appearance – 6 Games
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  • Total – 1,466
  • Average – 244.33
  • Tournament Total –2,849
  • Tournament Average – 237.4
  • High Game – 300

Top 10 Male Youth Division

  1. Jackson Buckingham (QLD) – 2,849
  2. Joshua Buttigieg (NSW) – 2,843
  3. Liam Cochrane (SA) – 2,832
  4. Julian Dinham (NSW) – 2,802
  5. Kohan Davis (QLD) – 2,700
  6. Zayne Pirlo (NSW) – 2,681
  7. Ryan Chi (NSW) – 2,651
  8. William Zaccaria (VIC) – 2,642
  9. Bernie Grueso Jnr III (VIC) – 2,630
  10. Blade Christensen (QLD) 2,627
L-R Joshua Buttigieg and Liam Cochrane – Jackson Buckingham was not present for the photo.
L-R Liam Cochrane, Bella Westlake, Joshua Buttigieg and Jasmine Walker

Future Frames

The conclusion of the Junior Sydney Cup marks the end of the 2025 TBA National Junior Ranked Event schedule, but opportunities remain for athletes to enhance their ‘best other’ performances at upcoming youth and open events.

Attention now turns to the Australian Masters, beginning later this week, followed by the season finale – the Grand National Youth Eliminator, taking place from 22 November at Caboolture Bowl.

Congratulations to all bowlers and families for another outstanding Sydney Bowlfest – a weekend that truly showcased Australia’s next generation of bowling talent.

FINAL RESULTS

JUNIOR SYDNEY CUP
PAST CHAMPIONS

YearMaleFemale
1977Danny Hackles
1978Sam Parella
1979Warren Stewart
1980Brian McCarroll
1981Warren Stewart
1982Stephen Montgomery
1983Max Hardy
1984Darryl PoveyCarol Gianotti
1985Craig CookCarol Cianotti
1986Matthew FrancisAnn-Maree Putney
1987Craig StreatifieldJodi Robinson
1988Matthew FrancisCarol Rowland-Jones
1989Billy GardinerTanya Steele
1990Wayne GriffithsLynette Motbey
1991Ken WilkinsAmanda Bradley
1992Matthew BurttAmanda Bradley
1993Murray McDonaldSamantha Edwards
1994Darren EgarKaren Perry
1995Anthony MaguireJessica Jakeway
1996Jason WalshKatie Stuart
1997Bruce FudaHolly Faint
1998Brandon QualischefskiHolly Faint
1999Jason LeongMelissa King
2000Scott AndrewsMichelle Halprin
2001Chris SlatterySally Kerr
2002Matthew SofiaJayde Flanagan
2003Michael ZentveldBianca Flanagan
2004Brady PirieMeghan Gore
2005Stephen CowlandSamantha Carter
2006Dion AlexanderRebecca Whiting
2007Steven ArmstrongRochelle Mottlee
2008Kyle WebberMarissa Schulze
2009Sam CooleyLaura Kaim
2010Simon PearceSarah McRae
2011Ben DonnellyChloe Harradine-Hale
2012Jarrod LangfordLibby Embury
2013Jayden LemingKatey Furze
2014Sam CurryRebekah Commane
2015Jayden PanellaJodie Kos
2016Josh MorrisTaneisha Griffiths
2017Kyle AnnettsTaneisha Griffiths
2018Jordan DinhamEmily Meehan
2019Nixon ChanSarah Pennicott
2022Justin DinhamSamantha Clifton
2023Blake WalshNatasha Goggin
2024Justin DinhamJessica Chi
2025Joshua ButtigiegBella Westlake

SYDNEY YOUTH CUP
PAST CHAMPIONS

YearMaleFemale
2007Michael CraigCassie Staudinger
2008Ben CouplandEmily Robertson
2009Stephen CowlandJacinta Gilliland
2010Stephen CowlandRebecca Whiting
2011Dion AlexanderBec Whiting
2012Nicolle Williams
2013Paul WhiteKatey Furze
2014Paul WhiteEmily Rigney
2015Blayne FletcherMaddy Kemp
2016Jayden LemmingChloe Jones
2017Blayne FletcherHeather Penatzer
2018Blayne FletcherJamie Phelan
2019Jackson BothamGrace Fahy
2021Jesse EllisEmily Johnston
2022Jamie RobinsonGrace Fahy
2023Ben PettitTamika Pettigrew
2024Blake WalshEmily Hinspeter
2025Jackson BuckinghamBella Westlake
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