Duprez Bows Out In Green And Gold

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday August 30, 2005

By LUKE KEENAN

FORMER Albion Park bowler Brett Duprez will tackle one last international competition before retiring permanently from the sport's top flight.

Duprez, who shocked the bowling world by announcing his retirement a fortnight ago, will compete for Australia at a Tri-Nations event in Perth in October.

The Australian side, featuring Duprez, Steve Glasson, Kelvin Kerkow and Karen Murphy, will compete against the British Lions and South Africa.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Duprez said it was "not too hard" to make the decision.

"It had been on the cards for a few months," the 30-year-old said. "The priorities have changed and it's good to be at home. The expectations on the elite bowler are too great. It's an amateur sport."

World singles champion Glasson said Duprez's decision to retire was a big blow.

"He's a big loss to the sport," he said.

"He's still in his prime. He's a very talented player. But I can understand his reasons for it."

Both Duprez and Glasson work for BCiB, a division of Domina General Insurance Brokers, which specialises in risk management for bowling clubs.

Glasson, who works out of the company's offices in Port Kembla, has his sights set on qualifying for next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

He won his fifth straight and ninth overall Australian indoor championship last week at Tweed Heads Bowling Club.

Glasson became the first Australian to win the world outdoor singles title when he beat Scot Alex Marshall in Scotland just over a year ago.

© 2005 Illawarra Mercury

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