Justin Allen's stellar performance at the annual European Blackball Association nations cup has earned him a spot in Australia's 2020 world championship team.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Warrnambool-based blackball player was part of Australia's Seniors A team which was runner-up in its division in Cyprus last week.
Allen, who was awarded his team's most valuable player, finished second overall based on individual statistics.
READ MORE:
He won 28 of his 40 games, attaining the second highest winning percentage (70 per cent) in the over 40s competition.
"They have a requirement that if you play for one of the A sides and you get a 62 per cent win-loss (ratio) or better, than you automatically get reselected for next year," he said.
"I got 70 per cent so I'm in."
Allen is looking forward to representing Australia in a team of six at the world championships in Geelong in November 2020.
He's taking action to get prepared for the big tournament.
"I've already asked to buy one of the (specific) tables we'll be playing on in Geelong," he said.
"I'm just sorting that out at the moment.
"I've got a competition table at home which I'll sell."
Allen has a couple of major competitions between now and the world championships.
He'll suit up for Warrnambool in the Victorian Country Cup Carnival in February before representing the state at nationals in Perth in May.
"I lost in the semi-final at nationals last year, 6-5, in a knockout," he said.
"I'd like to try and get in the final and win it this year."
Allen just helped the Australian squad make history during the week-long tournament in Cyprus.
"We'd never had an Australian men's team make finals in any category and we finished minor premiers," he said.
Allen's team beat world champions Scotland 13-12 in a semi-final before losing 13-7 to England in the final.
"To get that far was fantastic and we'll aim to go one better next year in the home final (Geelong)," he said.
Allen also made the final 16 of the singles knockout event which had 128 competitors.
Australia's Mens B team, which included former south-west player Broe Sheills, won its division at the nations cup.
Meanwhile, south-west player Matt Whitton played in Australia's Seniors B side in Cyprus.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
