Story
It all just rolled into place
words TODD KUCHEL
PHOTOGRAPHY sam kroepsch
Kate Argent-Bowden has been attending weekly lawn bowls for as long as she can remember.
Initially dragged along to watch her Mum, Dad, Nanna and Nanna’s partner play every Saturday at Angaston Bowling Club, Kate became a regular sight at the bowling club because that’s where everyone was, and where they could keep watch over her.
As Kate grew older, she began spending Saturdays with friends.
“Then we sort of felt bad for making people take care of me,” Kate admits. “So, I started playing.”
Kate started playing lawn bowls when she was just eight years old and has not stopped since.
“I think at the start it was just easier,” Kate says.
Kate began competing and at age 12 she was picked for the under 18s South Australian State team. Her debut for the Open Women’s South Australian state team was at 14.
“I won the women’s South Australian open state singles when I was 15 (youngest ever),” Kate shares proudly. Following this I was first put into the Pathways Squad in the Australian team (which was the third tier at the time).”
“Everyone in the squad (is) generally pretty young compared to what the stigma is with bowls. It’s definitely becoming more of a younger person sport.”
- Kate Argent-Bowden
Kate admits to feeling a little doubt in continuing with bowling as high school approached.
“I thought my friends would pick on me,” Kate shares. But I didn’t quit because I knew Mum wouldn’t be happy. I felt bad so I kept playing. It was fine, people made jokes, but I didn’t care because I can cop it.”
At age 16, Kate competed in the Australian Open at Broadbeach on Queensland’s Gold Coast, and won the under 18s.
“I got about a grand for that,” Kate shares. “Then all my friends stopped picking on me.”
Kate returned the following year and won again!
“After winning back-to-back Under 18s Australian Open Singles and a Bronze at the Australian Championships, I moved into the emerging squad (second tier) which is where I currently am,” Kate explains.
The Australian Open is held on the Gold Coast every June, with the main event at Broadbeach, which Kate says is a real privilege. As one of the biggest tournaments in Australia, and because it’s held over three weeks, it’s essentially half a holiday.
Generally, Kate will train at Angaston Bowling Club and play for the Adelaide Bowling Club Premier League on weekends, which is the top bowls you can play in South Australia.
“Everyone in the squad (is) generally pretty young compared to what the stigma is with bowls,” Kate explains. “It’s definitely becoming more of a younger person sport. There are under 18 teams in every single state, and they play their own nationals which is how I met half the people I know throughout bowls.”
Besides her skills on the green, Kate describes the admin required to be a series contender in the competition.
“Weekly reports, yearly calendars, the results that they can’t necessarily watch and keep up with, like the training, fitness and how you’re going mentally – it’s nothing too crazy but they do expect it of you.
“They understand where I’m at, but they want me to show the dedication, that it’s not just how you’re playing, it’s also being dedicated to being an athlete in the system.”
Recently Kate has returned from New Zealand where she competed in the Oceania Challenge.
“The Oceania Challenge is a week-long event in New Zealand that will be categorised as a Gold Tier World Bowls Series event that will allow players to accrue ranking points as part of the new system announced in June.” Kate explains.
Currently, Kate is enjoying a short, well-earned Christmas break before returning to New Zealand to compete in the Burnside pairs, a prestigious pairs tournament held annually in Christchurch.
For this, Kate is one of two women that were picked from the emerging squad to join the Jackaroos in the competition.
Kate is proud of the position she is at, yet her sights are set on the Commonwealth Games for the future.
“It’s pretty hard to judge where I’m at with all that,” Kate shares. “I wouldn’t say that I would make the one in 2026, but possibly the one after, that would be the one I’m aiming for.”
“…It’s more trying to make it to the top squad first and seeing how far I can go with that, before hopefully making it to a Commonwealth Games. I just have to keep winning things, and keeping up with the off-green stuff that the officials want.”
