Martinsen and Strong Crowned Champions at Record-Breaking 2025 TBA Inclusion Cup

By Matt Stevens
May 12, 2025
FINAL RESULTS

The 2025 TBA Inclusion Cup made history over the weekend as the largest edition in the event’s three-year history, launching the Inclusion Division’s nationally ranked season with standout performances and thrilling finals at Coolangatta Tweed Tenpin.

In the women’s division, 25-year-old Violet Martinsen captured her first ranked event and TBA Inclusion Cup title in dramatic fashion, storming home with a near-flawless final to dethrone two-time defending champion Amanda Threlfall. On the men’s side, star Kallan Strong proved once again why he’s regarded as one of Australia’s best, rallying from third place in qualifying to take out the trophy in back-to-back high-pressure stepladder wins.

This event marks the first of three nationally ranked events for the Inclusion Division in 2025, ahead of the National Disability Championships (June, Perth).

Women’s Division – Martinsen Breaks Through in Style

After two consecutive titles for Amanda Threlfall, a new champion has been crowned in the Women’s division — and in some style.

25-year-old Violet Martinsen, who bowls in multiple leagues at Mt Warren Lanes on the outskirts of Logan, Queensland, delivered a breakout performance to lift her first TBA Inclusion Cup. After qualifying third in Stage 1 with a ten-game total of 1,585 (highlighted by a 189 in Game 7), Martinsen surged in Stage 2 with a 690 four-game block to qualify second for the stepladder finals with a 2,275 total over the 14 games.

Top seed honours went to Mia Murrell, who fired a tournament-high 267 in Stage 2, bringing her total to 2,297 — just 22 pins ahead of Martinsen. Defending champion Amanda Threlfall secured the third and final stepladder spot with a 2,217 total.

Martinsen then flipped the script in the finals, first dispatching Threlfall 167–138 before saving her best for last. In the championship match, she exploded for her tournament best 225 to defeat Murrell 225–137 and lift the Cup for the first time.

Martinsen becomes just the second woman to win the Inclusion Cup, joining Threlfall as a titleholder in the growing history of the event.

Winners Journey – Violet Martinsen

Stage 1

142159160129168
145189163166164
Total1,585
Average158.7
PositionThird behind Mia Murrell and Amanda Threlfall – 55 pins behind leader Amanda

Stage 2

161188134207
Total for 4 Game Stage690
Running Total2,275
Average162.5
Position2nd behind Mia Murrell -22 pins and receives seed 2 for stepladder finals

Stage 3 – Stepladder Finals

  • Match 1 – Violet Martinsen 167 defeats Amanda Threlfall 138
  • Match 2 – Violet Martinsen 225 defeats Mia Murrell 137

Personal High Game

225

Top 10

  1. Violet Martinsen
  2. Mia Murrell
  3. Amanda Threlfall
  4. Sarah Hartley
  5. Ella Hoffman
  6. Karnie Taylor
  7. Kate Juillerat
  8. Courtney Bucknell
  9. Kelly Preer
  10. Melina Hall

Female High Game

267 – Mia Murrell

Men’s Division – Strong Steps Up to the Moment

The men’s field featured former champions and fresh contenders, but it was Victorian Pino Mascetti who made the loudest noise in Stage 1, dominating the opening 10 games with a stunning 2,137 total — an average of 213.7 — including eight 200+ games and a high of 253.

Fellow Victorian AJ Jamal (1,971) and NSW’s Kallan Strong (1,942) rounded out the top three, with 10 bowlers advancing to the next stage. In Stage 2, Mascetti maintained his stronghold to secure the top seed with a 2,977 total, while Strong leapfrogged into second ahead of Jamal in third.

The breakout star of this year’s IBF Para Bowling World Championships — where he claimed a staggering five medals — first edged out Jamal 211–188 in the stepladder semifinal. He then closed the show with a composed 214–177 win over Mascetti to claim the 2025 TBA Inclusion Cup and solidify his status as the division’s most feared competitor.

The 23-year-old who bowls league at Bateau Bay in New South Wales, adds another trophy to an already remarkable resume and now turns his attention to the Open Masters title and All-Events race in Perth this June.

Winners Journey – Kallan Strong

Stage 1

162178214245242
201192177180151
Total1,942
Average194.2
Position3rd behind AJ Jamal and Pino Mascetti. -195 pins behind leader Pino.

Stage 2

202191225238
Total for 4 Game Stage856
Running Total2,798
Average199.9
Position2nd behind Pino Maspcetti -179 pins. Received the 2nd seed for stepladder finals

Stage 3 – Stepladder Finals

  • Match 1 – Kallan Strong 211 defeats AJ Jamal 188
  • Match 2 – Kallan Strong 214 defeats Pino Mascetti 177

Personal High Game

245

Top 10

  1. Kallan Strong
  2. Pino Mascetti
  3. AJ Jamal
  4. Ryan Ward
  5. Nicholas Jefferson
  6. William Mison
  7. Mitchell Meares
  8. Matthew Hurst
  9. Heath Baker
  10. Ashley Poelstra

Male High Game

266 – Ryan Ward

Graded Result

The top 3 bowlers failing to make the stage 2 cut qualified for the Graded stepladder final. Graded used 100% of 220 handicap system on its way to crowning Bundy Bowl’s Ethan Morris the champion. Ethan defeated Melina Hall in the semi-final 246-198 before beating Damien Laver in the final 213-201. Congratulations guys!

Future Frames

What a weekend it was!

On Friday’s official practice session, athletes were treated with expert support from the newly appointed High Performance Squad lead Cameron Walsh and IBF Para Bowling World Championships Australian head coach Jason Walsh on hand to provide key guidance ahead of the weekend.

With record participation, elite competition, and rising stars shining, the 2025 TBA Inclusion Cup showcased the incredible growth of the Inclusion Division and set the tone for an exciting season ahead.

Next up is the National Disability Championships in beautiful Perth at Zone Bowling Morley. The Championships will once again be the stage for the final two ranked events – the Classic/Open Masters and Classic/Open All-Events for the Championships.

Tenpin Bowling Australia congratulates Violet and Kallan on their victories and all bowlers for making the 2025 TBA Inclusion Cup a success!

TBA INCLUSION CUP
CHAMPIONS

YEARFEMALEMALE
2023Amanda Threlfall (VIC)Jason Threlfall (VIC)
2024Amanda Threlfall (VIC)Mitchell Meares (NSW)
2025Violet Martinsen (QLD)Kallan Strong (NSW)
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