By Sheree Hoddinett
A passion and impressive skill for ten pin bowling is now taking Tyler Allen halfway around the world to represent his country.
The 23-year-old from Ningi is part of the Australian team heading to the 2025 IBF Para Bowling World Championships, set to take place from January 17-24 at the state of art Kai Tak Sports Park Bowling Centre in Hong Kong.
This will be the first IBF Para event since Australia hosted the event on the Sunshine Coast in 2022, where Tyler came third in the singles event. Tyler is very much looking forward to representing his home country on international soil.
“I can’t wait to represent Australia, because it’s the highest honour in our sport,” Tyler said. “This is what I have been wanting to achieve since I started bowling and more so since I have been competing for Queensland in all abilities and also in the disability sector.”
So, what did Tyler have to do to be chosen for the Australian team?
“I have competed for Queensland for the last few years at the National Disability Championships and I have also competed for Queensland at the Special Olympics Nationals Events,” he said. “I am also a member of the National Training Squad. I also have a coach that I train with on a weekly basis and compete in a league four times a week.”
And it’s his coach’s advice that goes through Tyler’s mind as he prepares to send another bowl down the lane.
“I think about exactly what my coach has instructed me to do, from my stance to the ball grip, practice swing, focus and then my walk and follow through,” Tyler said.
Tyler’s foray into the world of knocking down pins began at a young age and his love for the sport that’s become a big part of his life has grown immensely, along with his many friendships.
“I started bowling at the age of 11 and I just loved the game,” Tyler explains. “I am trying to achieve the perfect game – 300. So far I’ve achieved 299 twice!”
It seems sport is very much ingrained in Tyler’s family with his other interests including soccer and go-karting. His parents, Ricky and Tanya, both hail from a soccer background.
“I competed in the Australian Women’s Soccer Team for many years and Ricky was a goalkeeper, competing at state level as well,” Tanya said. “We are so proud of Tyler, for what he has achieved so far, his love for the sport is just amazing and he just wants to be involved anyway he can.
“He also helps with some coaching when he does the Special Olympics and is always trying to get better at bowling by watching other bowlers and asking them for advice.”
Although he’s quite young and still has a bright future ahead of him, Tyler, who looks up to the likes of fellow ten pin bowlers Jason Belmonte, Jayden Leming, Brendan Meads, Jason Walsh and Jesse Ellis, has already built quite a list of achievements including:
Competing in the 2022 IBF Para World Championships for Australia– winning a bronze medal
2 x 299 games
National Disability High Game and High Series over the last two years
Winning the Caboolture Disability Masters 2024
With the world championships in Hong Kong and the National Disability Championships in Perth, no doubt there will be even more accolades coming Tyler’s way!
“It is every parents’ dream to see their child achieve to their highest potential,” Tanya said. “And Tyler is so focussed on doing this, we hope he continues to keep representing his country as he will always do it proud.”
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