Kyneton-born Chloe Stewart has announced her retirement from international bowls effective immediately, having represented the Jackaroos on 149 occasions.
The 29-year-old made her debut a decade ago at the 2015 Trans Tasman and fittingly the same event will be marked as her final appearance for Australia, having played an integral part in the nation’s 4-1 victory over New Zealand in the recent series.
Stewart’s decision has not come easily, but the news of the slimmed down programme of the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and her recent promotion to SParms general manager has convinced her that the timing is right.
“It definitely wasn’t an easy decision; but the uncertainty around Commonwealth Games and starting my new role as GM, it feels like the right thing to do now,” she told Bowls Australia.
“There’s obviously a fair bit of time that goes into trying to make the Commonwealth Games with selection trials, events and hours of training. There are a lot of sacrifices that go into playing for your country, and this is something I have been doing for over ten years.”
Stewart regards the highlight was just being able to put on the Australian kit, considering it one of the highest honours one can have.
She moved from Kyneton and Victoria to Queensland to gain more consistent opportunities at the highest level and has made a home for herself at Club Tweed, where she will continue to ply her trade on top of her state and Bowls Premier League commitments.
“My mum, Jenny, has been a major influence on my career and I could not have reached the heights that I have without her support,” she said.
“Then there is my Nan, Val, who has passed on, she was the one that got me into bowls and had a huge effect on my career as well as all of my family and friends.
“The Kyneton Bowling Club and Club Tweed, they have been enormous for me and shown a staggering amount of support throughout my career within the Jackaroos lineup to go and achieve my dreams.
