Kendall Jennings, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

As part of a two-year pilot program, Murray Downs Golf and Country Club coach, Josh Thornton, has been appointed country manager for northwest Victoria. Thornton will oversee two regions, Murray Mallee and Wimmera, providing better support to regions, clubs and rural Victoria.

Josh Thornton’s growing bowls career is impressive. He was once a member of the Queensland and Bowls Australia teams, and at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, grasped the gold medal in the Para-Sport Open Triples. Josh was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement in the Young Australian of the Year awards (1999 and 2000). In 2021, Thornton competed in the Australian Open held in Queensland, adding an-other championship trophy to the silverware collection.

“I am very excited about the new role. Bowls Victoria is looking to improve what it offers country areas, and for myself to be a part of the new role, I am looking forward to professionalising the sport in the Murray Mallee and Wimmera regions,” said Thornton.

Thornton is currently completing a Masters of Sport Management and Business for an early 2022 graduation. He has also been Bowling Victoria participation coordinator for over 12 months and has previously been regional bowls manager, servicing clubs across northeast and western Victoria, including far western New South Wales.

Thornton’s position commences at the end of November, 2021.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barhamn Bridge Newspaper, 28 October 2021.