By Renae Jones
After a string of standout performances on both the national and international stage, 19-year-old Jack McShane has been named Commonwealth Games Australia’s Emerging Athlete of the Month for May.
“It’s an amazing feeling and honestly a shock,” McShane said. “There are so many athletes out there doing amazing things, so to be selected is a huge privilege.”
This recognition follows his incredible performance at the 2025 World Bowls Indoor Championships in Scotland, where he claimed the Men’s Singles title.
McShane was the youngest competitor in the field and he delivered a remarkable display of skill, composure and tactical brilliance.
“To chuck on the Aussie uniform at the highest level and win a world title – it was more than I could’ve ever imagined,” he said.
“The moment I won was a blur. All the emotions came out at once.”
McShane’s journey to world champion started early.
“I was three or four when I saw people playing and wanted to have a go, but they said no. I threw the biggest tantrum ever, which changed their minds – and the rest is history,” he laughed.
That passion only grew. A club title at 13 and selection into a junior academy opened his eyes to a future in the sport, and he hasn’t looked back.
Over the past 12 months, McShane has collected a string of achievements: NSW Male Bowler of the Year, Australian Indoor Singles Champion, and Australian Open Men’s Pairs Champion.
“My most special achievement was the 2022 Australian Pairs Championship that I won with Shawn Thompson,” he said.
“He’s been such an important mentor on and off the green, so to have this title together is something very special to me.”
Beyond the scoreboard, McShane credits the sport’s social side and mental challenge as key reasons he loves the sport.
“You can have days that go for 8 to 10 hours, so staying mentally focused is a huge part of it. I enjoy that challenge.”
With his first world title under his belt, McShane now has his sights set on new goals.
“Short-term, I want to make the Open Aussie Squad. Long-term, I want to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games,” McShane reflected.
“I’ve got a packed calendar with training and events to take my game to the next level.”
McShane says his parents, mentor Shawn Thompson and Merrylands Bowling Club have played vital roles in his development and success.
With a world title in hand and eyes on the future, Jack McShane is proving that bowls is well and truly a young person’s game – and he’s just getting started.
The Commonwealth Games serves as a platform for developing the future stars of Australian sport and the Emerging Athlete of the Year forms part of a refreshed Awards and Honours program developed by the CGA Heritage and Awards Committee.
The CGA Emerging Athlete of the Year Award celebrates the next generation of Australian sport stars and those that may make an impact for Australia at major sport events in the future.
Over the course of 2025, an athlete will be recognised each month as the Emerging Athlete of the Month and will receive a $500 contribution towards their training and competition expenses.
Three finalists from the monthly winners will then split a $7000 cash prize, with the winner receiving $5000 and the two runners-up $1000 respectively.
