Melanie, My understanding of the answers to the questions you are asking are set out below. However, it is always a good idea to check anything you are told by anyone with the ultimate source, which, in this case, is Tenpin Bowling Australia Limited (TBAL).
Entry into the TBAL Youth National Training Squad is gained by way of a Nomination/Selection process and the Teams for FIQ Events are picked from the members of this Squad. This is an elite group (usually numbering around 20 girls) and it helps to gain entry if you have bowled President's Shield. It is an even bigger plus if you have made a President's Shield *All Stars* Team or won a National Junior Open Masters. However,the Selectors look at many other factors too; as spelt out in the Nomination Form you have to complete and submit.
As preparation for reaching the level of acheivement the Selectors are seeking, you should gain good results in your Area, State and National Junior Championships. In addition to participating in Open Tournaments like the one you bowled in last weekend, you should try and bowl as many of the major Junior/Youth Events as possible. Good examples are the 2001 Sharp/Coke Junior Champion of Champions here in Brisbane (Greenslopes in, I think, October), the 2001 Sydney Junior Cup (talk to Dr or Mrs Kee or Greg Sawyer, aka Cudac, about that one - it is held over the NSW long weekend at the start of October), the 2002 Australian International Youth Championships (same contacts - held at the start of January) and the South Australian Under 23 (August 18/19, 2001 - details are in a separate post in the SA Section of this Forum). Bowling the Wide Bay Grand Prix Circuit (next one , Hervey Bay in August) and the local AMF Tournaments (e.g. Brisbane Cup, July 28/29) will also add to your pool of experience.
As you can see, it requires a lot of time, effort and, unfortunately, expense (both in terms of bowling fees and travel, not to mention equipment) to get to your goal. Some of the cost can be off-set by prize money, but it 's a big help if you can get yourself a sponsor or a good fund raising team behind you.
Despite the best efforts of TBAL, picking up information about tournaments and other aspects of bowling, remains one of the toughest things for many bowlers. So, in addition to keeping a "close eye" on this excellent web-site and asking others, as you are doing, you should be sure to be on the mailing list for TBAL's TENPIN TOPICS and to register on TBAL's temporary website.
I hope this is of some help and I look forward to reading your name in future NTS and FIQ Squads.
