Golden hopes for Devon’s Natalie Chestney at Commonwealth Games

Final preparations are well underway for Luscombe Drinks’ export manager and international lawn bowler, Natalie Chestney, as she travels to Australia’s Gold Coast in search of success at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Natalie, who lives in Exeter and trains with Torquay’s Kings Bowling Club and Exeter’s Exonia Bowls Club, will be representing England in the women’s pairs and fours disciplines this April.

Natalie has been playing bowls since the age of nine, and for the last ten years has been competing with bowls partner Sophie Tolchard from Marldon. Together they have played at club, county and national level in the women’s pairs and fours. No stranger to success, Natalie has won titles in singles, pairs and triples at the England National Championships.

This year will be the third time Natalie has represented England, having previously won a gold medal in the women’s singles at the 2010 Games in Delhi. She also won two silver medals in the women’s singles and pairs in the 2014 games in Glasgow.

Commenting on her hopes for the 2018 Games, Natalie said: “I am going for gold! After getting a taste for winning in Delhi and then missing out twice in Glasgow, I am more determined than ever to bring it home. Of course, any medal would be incredible - but we all want that number one spot.”

Joining her at the Gold Coast games will be her husband, Jamie, also an international lawn bowler. Having met at the 2011 Atlantic Championships in Cyprus, this will be their first Commonwealth Games as husband and wife. Although not competing together, the disciplines in bowls are split by gender, Jamie will be representing England in the men’s triples and fours.

Natalie continued: “There is no guarantee that we would both be selected for the final team, so it’s amazing that we both made it. It is tough to focus 100 per cent on your own game when your husband might be competing on the next green. Of course it is fantastic that we are able to compete at this level together, but it does add another layer of complication!”

To find out more about the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games including the bowls schedule visit the official Games website: www.gc2018.com.