Melbourne Extreme will have a slightly different look for next month’s Bowls Premier League competition with Natasha Van Eldik replacing Carla Krizanic in the team.
Krizanic has been part of the Extreme team since the start, but has made the decision to step away from bowls completely.
The Commonwealth Games gold medallist last year made the decision to step away from international duties due to a young family.
Van Eldik will step into the Club Sunbury franchise, joining Matt Flapper and Ali Forsyth who remain in the team.
Van Eldik, who won Commonwealth gold alongside Krizanic, returns to the BPL competition after missing BPL16 through injury.
“I’m over the moon and excited to play in the BPL again after a bit of disappointment having to miss the November one with a knee injury but we’re back bigger and stronger,” she said to the Bowls Australia website.
“To be honest I’m really nervous, Carla is a great player in her own right and she has played and represented Sunbury so well, so I’ve got some big shoes to fill but being a good friend of hers I will take the opportunity with both hands to try and do her and the team proud as well.”
Krizanic, who calls Sunbury home, told the Bowls Australia website she was content with her decision to step away from the event.
She said she wouldn’t be a stranger to the Extreme side.
“But I’m going back to work now and I’ve got two young children at home so I can’t really put in the commitment to make sure that I’m playing well enough when the BPL will be on.
“I love the Extreme too much to go in and not perform well so I’m happily going to step aside for Tash, she is more than capable of stepping into the role and I know that she will do a fantastic job.
“I’ll certainly miss playing but I’m looking forward to supporting them instead and I’m now officially their biggest fan.”
Extreme team manager Marc Bullows said they understood why Krizanic was stepping away from the side and had nothing but praise for her.
“We thank Carla for being a great ambassador of Club Sunbury on the national stage,” he said.
“We totally understand and support her situation and we wish her all the luck in her future.
“We look forward to watching Natasha represent Extreme with the boys as we strive to take home the ultimate prize in the BPL and have no doubt with her resume, Tash will be a huge asset for the team.”
