World singles champion Tayla Bruce heads 12-strong New Zealand bowls team for 2026 Commonwealth Games

Tuesday, 14 April 2026

World champions and multiple Commonwealth Games medallists spearhead the New Zealand bowls team for Glasgow 2026 named on Tuesday.

In the first New Zealand selection announcement which marks 100 days until the Commonwealth Games, 12 bowlers were named to chase medals in Scotland from July 23 until August 2.

Tayla Bruce, who won the singles title at the 2023 world championships, will again take her place in the women’s singles at her third Commonwealth Games.

She is looking to add to her two bronze medals in the triples and fours in Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.

“It’s a true pinnacle event for our sport, particularly because it allows us to have the special opportunity to be part of the wider New Zealand team. I’m really looking forward to competing, making the most of the experience, and representing my country with pride,” Bruce said.

Selina Goddard and Katelyn Inch will again team up in the women’s pairs, the event they combined in for bronze four years ago.

Both wil contest their third Commonwealth Games, with Goddard chasing a fourth medal in all.

In the men’s singles, 2016 world champion Shannon McIlroy will play at his fifth Commonwealth Games.

“This is our Olympics, so I look forward to the challenge ahead and hopefully, with strong performances, we can bring home some medals,” McIlroy said.

In the men’s pair, experienced duo Ali Forsyth and Tony Grantham will team up. Melbourne-based Forsyth will play at his fifth Commonwealth Games and Grantham his third.

Also selected are the 2023 women’s world para pairs champions, Teri Blackbourn and Julie O’Connell, who will contest the women’s B6-B8 pair.

“It’s still sinking in that we get to wear the fern at the Commonwealth Games,” said Blackbourn.

The team is completed by men's para pair Mark Noble and Kurt Smith, and mixed para pair Kerrin Wheeler and Sonya Woodrow.

New Zealand Commonwealth Games bowls team

Women's singles: Tayla Bruce

Women's pair: Katelyn Inch, Selina Goddard

Men's singles: Shannon McIlroy

Men's pair: Ali Forsyth, Tony Grantham

Women's para pair (B6-B8): Teri Blackbourn, Julie O’Connell

Men's para pair (B6-B8): Mark Noble, Kurt Smith

Mixed para pair (B2-B3): Kerrin Wheeler, Sonya Woodrow