Never Too Late: Samantha Matthews’ Story of Resilience and Redemption
By Matt Stevens
Samantha Matthews has made 2024 her breakout year, showcasing precision, passion, and consistent excellence. After topping the National Training Squad (NTS) Trials in 2023, she has quickly cemented her place among Australia’s elite bowlers.
A former netballer and ballroom dancer, Samantha Matthews has found her stride as one of Australia’s top senior tenpin bowlers. Like her recent hobby of speed puzzling, her bowling career has been a complex challenge—but one she has pieced together with perseverance.
Samantha began bowling in 1987, excelling at the state level, but the dream of representing Australia remained out of reach. Her journey has been a test of patience and resilience, but in 2024, had all the pieces finally aligned to produce her most successful year yet.
Tenpin bowling is a sport like no other, offering athletes the rare chance to thrive well into their senior years. With its focus on skill, strategy, and precision over raw physicality, the sport creates opportunities for remarkable stories of perseverance and growth. Samantha Matthews’ 2024 journey is a perfect example—proof that with dedication, senior years can be a time of reinvention and success on the lanes.
Piece 1 – A Lifelong Passion for Bowling
Samantha Matthews, turning 50 this month, began her bowling career at age 13 and quickly climbed the ranks, representing Western Australia in national events like the President’s Shield (1990–92) and the Walter Rachuig Trophy Tournament, where she competed 12 times. A four-time state open masters champion, she took a break from the sport after the 2009 Rachuig but returned triumphantly a decade later in 2019, earning All-Star honours.
In 2022, Samantha joined the ATBSO circuit, earning accolades such as runner-up in the 2023 Ladies Masters and claiming the title in 2024. Her success continued with back-to-back ATBSO All-Star selections in 2022 and 2024.
In 2022, Samantha reassessed her goals, knowing she would be eligible to bowl in the TBA senior division within 18 months. She focused on redesigning her game during this short window to ensure she could enter the new division with certainty and readiness.
As often happens in life, things didn’t go exactly to plan.
In late 2022 and early 2023, Samantha needed to prioritise her health due to a scare that required surgery. The abrupt pause in her bowling derailed her goals, but Samantha quickly found a silver lining.
“The experience actually had a positive impact on my life, and after recovering, I spent late 2023 preparing for the NTS Trials,” explained Samantha.
Piece 2 – Breakthrough at the NTS Trials
The 2023 NTS Trials introduced a new pathway for selection to the National Training Squad, held at the AGL National High Performance Centre in Queensland.
Designed for bowlers like Samantha, the trials bypassed the need for ranked event performances, offering a fair chance to those facing logistical challenges like travel from Western Australia. Samantha seized the opportunity, finishing as the top performer.
“The trial represented the first real chance in my whole career to make an Australian squad,” she said. “WA bowlers face challenges like travel costs and limited facilities, making it hard to compete nationally. For the first time, I could overcome those barriers.”
The trials guaranteed the top four performers a place in the following year’s NTS. Samantha finished as the top bowler, starting a whirlwind 2024 full of highs for the right-hander from WA.
With her spot in the NTS secured and barriers removed, Samantha didn’t waste time utilising her new position and gaining intangible benefits along the way.
“A huge advantage is being able to enter tournaments early,” said Matthews. “Having to book flights and accommodation months before tournaments are confirmed makes it critical to secure a spot, especially with TBA50 events filling up so quickly.”
Armed with newfound benefits, Samantha was ready to introduce herself to the senior division and compete on the national stage.
Piece 3 – Ranked Event Success
Samantha opened the 2024 season with a title at the Hammer Queensland Seniors Classic, setting the tone for her incredible year. She consistently placed in the top five at ranked events, heading to the final ranked event of the season, the TBA50 National Masters, as Australia’s top-ranked senior bowler.
Despite her success, Samantha remained grounded, dismissing rankings and staying focused on her progress.
“My goal is to perform well and execute my game plan. In my eyes, Dena (Buxton) is the true number one until I win an event where she competes.”
At the TBA50 National Masters, Samantha finished ninth, with Victorian Dena Buxton proving Samantha’s pre-event quote true. Buxton closed out the year with another title, securing her position as the top senior female bowler in the country.
Samantha still had a strong TBA National Senior Championships, competing as a draftee for the Northern Territory team in the TBA50 National Teams Challenge. She finished second in the women’s all-events, earning All-Star honours.
While Samantha’s performances at national events solidified her reputation, her ultimate highlight came on the international stage in Singapore.
Piece 4 – Golden Moments in Singapore
In October, Samantha realised a lifelong dream by representing Australia at the 17th Asian Seniors Bowling Championships in Singapore.
Competing on the international stage, she thrived under unfamiliar conditions, winning three medals, including gold in the Masters.
“I was excited and nervous for my first overseas ‘Team Australia’ trip. Singapore was a fantastic location, and being a flag bearer at the opening ceremony was an incredible, nerve-racking honour.”
Samantha’s first appearance on the lanes came during practice, where she and her support team chose a strategy to adapt to the foreign conditions.
“My husband and I developed a strategy after official practice and refined this over each squad. Adjusting to lane conditions and managing two different oiling machines added new variables to each session. My team was also amazing to bowl with,” she said.
“I had the privilege of bowling with Sue Cassell, Lee Booth, and Christine Clark—ladies I deeply respect. Honestly, I was more nervous bowling with them than competing against international opponents!” added Matthews.
After the Teams event, Samantha qualified for the Masters, the championship’s ultimate stage.
After 18 qualifying games, the next two days would see the West Australian bowling another 16 games and finished the first day in third place.
“The two-day Masters event, with its fast-paced, head-to-head format, suited me well. I started day two over 100 pins behind but got off to a flyer against the top two opponents.” said Matthews.
Opening the second day with huge games of 246 and 257, collecting 20 bonus points, Matthews started strongly before missing a victory in game three which then saw a five game winning streak to finish off the job and receive gold for Australia.
“I enjoy head-to-head events as you only see that game, that frame, that moment, you don’t look out of the box. The Aussie ladies in the final, Sue Cassell, Christine Clarke, and Karen Newman were all very supportive which I thank them for” explained Matthews.
“Singapore reinforced the importance of preparation—my husband and I started planning months in advance, and it paid off,” added Matthews.
Piece 5 – Goals and Support
A total of 37 years’ experience off and mainly on the lanes has helped Matthews produce a breakout season in 2024. A meticulous planner, Matthews is already thinking about how to build on her success next year.
“My goals keep evolving. In 2025, I plan to compete in the Senior Queens and International Golden Ladies events in the US, aim for the World Championships, and continue building my game.”
Samantha acknowledges the crucial support of her husband Chris and daughter Gemma.
“My family has been instrumental this year. Chris prepared me for every event, and Gemma’s independence in her first year of high school, along with family support, made balancing home and travel manageable and eased any mum guilt.”
Samantha Matthews closes out 2024 as one of Australia’s top senior bowlers, capping a remarkable season defined by perseverance, growth, and success. While she narrowly missed finishing as the top-ranked bowler, her achievements—both nationally and internationally—are expected to earn her re-selection into next year’s National Training Squad.
Samantha’s story exemplifies the unique opportunities tenpin bowling offers. Samantha’s journey is far from over, and only getting started with many pieces to add to her career. Few sports celebrate persistence and the ability to thrive well into senior years quite like this. Her journey proves that with dedication and the right mindset, the best may still be yet to come.
