Pocket Preview: Louise Eady Melbourne Junior Cup

The highly anticipated 2024 Junior Division TBA Nationally Ranked Event Series will culminate this weekend at Wyncity Keon Park in Victoria with the inaugural Louise Eady Melbourne Junior Cup.

This event marks a significant milestone for junior tenpin bowling, welcoming back a fourth ranked event in a single calendar year, whilst also welcoming back an old event that has not run since 2017 when Rebekah Commane and Bernie Grueso Jnr took out the fourth running of the event.

The Junior Melbourne Cup has been in existence for some time in an on-and-off again nature, with Tournament Director Warren Stewart winning a version of it back in 1981. The last running of the event in 2017 ended a streak of three years where Rebekah Commane won three titles in a row.

The return of the tournament arrives at a poignant time, paying tribute to the late Louise Eady, a dedicated figure in Victorian tenpin bowling who passed away earlier this year. Tournament organisers, led by Warren Stewart, named the event in her honour, recognising her lasting impact on the sport.

“Louise provided unparalleled dedication with an everlasting impact on Tenpin Bowling in Victoria,” said Stewart. “She was not only a remarkable coach for our junior and youth teams but also a passionate advocate for inclusion in our sport. We are honoured to celebrate her contributions this way and ensure her legacy continues to inspire future generations of bowlers.”

The occasion has evolved into a meaningful addition to the junior bowling calendar, standing as the younger sibling to the historic open division event – the Melbourne Tenpin Cup. Now, Melbourne once again hosts a national junior bowling event, welcoming young talents to showcase their skills and compete for glory.

As the final ranked event for the junior division in 2024, the Louise Eady Melbourne Junior Cup not only crown new champions but also help decide the overall winners of the TBA Nationally Ranked Event for the junior division. The competition is fierce, with both the boys’ and girls’ divisions presenting tight leaderboards, making this weekend’s tournament pivotal for the contenders.

In the girls’ division, only 13 points separate the top three bowlers. South Australia’s Emily Hart leads with 245 points, despite missing the Queensland Junior Cup due to clashing closely with her return from the Asian Junior Tenpin Bowling Championships in Malaysia where she won two bronze medals. Hot on her heels are Jasmine Walker, Bella Westlake, Vanessa Hannigan, Katy Melon, and Emily Hinspeter, all eager to clinch the title.

For the boys, Justin Dinham has enjoyed an exceptional season, currently holding the top spot with 255 points. Close behind is Victorian Nicholas Rajkovic, just 9 points shy, while Julian Dinham, Justin’s younger brother, is in third place with 214 points. Other strong contenders include William Zaccaria, Liam Cochrane, Lachlan Howse, and Kohan Davis, all within reach of the crown.

The inaugural Louise Eady Melbourne Junior Cup will feature a challenging format, with all bowlers competing in 12 games split into two 6-game blocks. The top 14 boys and girls from the qualifying rounds will advance to the elimination round on Sunday. With pinfall carried over, these top competitors will bowl four additional games, after which the field will be narrowed down to the top eight.

The final matchplay round, featuring bonus pins, will determine the champions. The highest total pinfall plus bonus pins will decide who earns the title of 2024 Louise Eady Melbourne Junior Cup Champion.

Tenpin Bowling Australia extends its best wishes to all competitors for a successful and high-scoring event, as the junior division season reaches its thrilling conclusion.

FEMALE JUNIOR RANKINGS 2024

MALE JUNIOR RANKINGS 2024