Kirwan Tenpin and Squash and Tenpin Bowling Australia hosted an evening of not-too-serious competition last night between teams representing Townsville media and the major supporters of the forthcoming Australian National Tenpin Bowling Championships.

Under the banner of some cryptic and hilarious Team names, local media organisations and the City of Thuringowa, the Mercure Inn, and Townsville Enterprise fielded 5-person teams, with the “Mercure Merlots” emerging winners, under protest at having drafted some talented bowlers from nearby Currajong Bowling Centre.

Former Australian representative, Geoff Ott, now Chef at the Mercure Inn in Townsville lead his team to victory in the competition which also showed some unexpected bowling talent emerge from the numerous media teams present - WIN Television, SEA-FM, 4TO-FM and 4K1G. The light-hearted TWIN CITIES TERRIFIC TENPIN TOURNAMENT was an introduction to the activity - and fun - that the forthcoming Australian Tenpin Bowling National Championships will bring to the region in October.

TBA CEO, Alex Popov joined TBA North Queensland Regional Manager, Ian Waters and TBA Media Director Lynne Clay in welcoming guests to the reception last night, giving an overview of the sport and the background to the choice of Thuringowa/Townsville as the site of this year’s Championships. The inclusion of a North Queensland team in the prestigious Interstate Teams event, the Rachuig Trophy, is an exciting first that coincides with the event’s re-appearance in Townsville – the Nationals were last held in North Queensland in 1990.

Unveiling the theme of this year’s Nationals under the banner of TENPIN IN THE TROPICS – THE HEAT IS ON, Alex Popov also emphasised TBA’s aim of encouraging widespread participation in this year’s Nationals from bowlers of all grades throughout North Queensland.

The theme song accompanying the colourful logo that will be the focal point of the 42nd annual Tenpin Bowling National Championships was a feature of last night’s function. The cheerful tune will be played regularly at both Kirwan and Currajong Bowling Centres throughout this year’s Nationals, to be held from 18 October till 8 November, 2003.