SHERIDON BODNAR

One of my favourite career moments was winning the State Women's Triples and Fours title in 2024/25 alongside my best friends. Sharing such a special achievement with teammates who are close friends made it an unforgettable experience.

I use the Dreamline XG, size 3, Paradise Duo, X grip. I chose the Henselite XG because it suits my style of play perfectly. It's a bowl that gives me the confidence to play consistently on all types of greens and in different conditions. I know exactly what it's going to do, whether I'm playing a draw shot or adding weight, which allows me to trust my equipment every time I step onto the green.

I also absolutely love the colour scheme. Pink has always been my favourite colour, and I think it represents my bright, bubbly and positive personality both on and off the green. It's a bowl that not only performs exceptionally well but also reflects who I am as a person.

Lawn bowls has always been a family sport for us. My Pop and Nanna started playing first, followed by my brother and dad. Mum is the only one in the family that doesn't play and would rather support on the sidelines.

I was around 12 years old when I first gave it a go. At the time, I was just mucking around with my brother during state training sessions. The Women's Under 18 State Coach asked why I wasn't involved in the team and invited me along to an open day. From that moment, I fell in love with the sport and haven't looked back since.

My biggest goal in the next couple of years is to win the State Women's Singles Championships in SA. Looking further ahead, I'd also love to become a Jackaroo and represent Australia at the highest level. During my playing career, I would like to coach the next generation of junior bowlers, helping them develop their skills and achieve their own goals.

Over my bowls career, I have been fortunate enough to bowl alongside many amazing players. However, the few who stand out to me and have been enjoyable are my dad (Jason Bodnar), my brother (James Bodnar), Karen Gatto, Tamzin Jenke, Scotty Thulborn, Dan Flanagan, Jacinta Weier, Jamie Lee, Samantha Naronha, James Gregory and Jacob Nelson. All of them have helped shape me into the bowler I am today in different ways. Their experience, knowledge, encouragement and support have challenged me to improve my game, build my confidence and continue striving to be the best player I can be.

Another important person is Tony Lucas. He has had a huge impact on my game, working closely with me on my delivery and helping to make it smoother. This has given me greater confidence and improved my overall performance on the green.

I feel incredibly grateful to call these people my friends and mentors, and I'm thankful to have shared the green with such talented and inspiring bowlers.

If I wasn't playing bowls, I'd probably spend my time getting back into the things I love outside of the sport. I'd continue dancing at JFF, which has always been a big part of my life, and focus more on my career in childcare, a job that I absolutely love and find incredibly rewarding. I'd also enjoy having more free weekends to catch up with friends, making memories together. I'd likely find my way back into netball as well, as it's something I truly miss and would love to be involved in again.

Looking to the future, I'd love to further my education by completing a teaching degree and working with reception aged children. I'm also passionate about making a difference in children's lives, so I'd love to specialise in Auslan to better support children who are deaf, or combine my love of dance and education by teaching dance to autistic children.

I admire my family the most. They've been my #1 fans and supported me every step of the way of my bowls journey. My parents are always there to watch me bowl no matter where, and have always encouraged me to chase my dreams. Their love, encouragement and support continue to motivate me to keep working hard and striving to achieve even more. I know my Pop would have been incredibly proud of everything I've accomplished over the past few years.

Within bowls, I really admire Kristina Van Nierop. I love the way she carries herself both on and off the green. She's an outstanding bowler, but she's also an incredibly genuine, kind-hearted, caring and humble person. Her personality and sportsmanship are qualities that are similar to mine and someone I really look up to as a bowler.

I've used Henselite bowls throughout my whole bowls journey and honestly wouldn't choose anything else. The quality, consistency and performance of their products give me complete confidence every time I step onto the green. Henselite has supported bowlers for generations, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunities and support they've provided throughout my career.