Drouin's Samantha Atkinson (second from right) has qualified for four events at the state championships including the women's fours alongside (from left) Maureen Leighton, Sheryl Atkinson and Jan Aubrey.
Drouin bowler Samantha Atkinson is eyeing Victoria team selection after qualifying for four events at the Victorian Championships in Bendigo.
Playing at Newborough on Sunday, 28-year-old Samantha won the women's singles, triples and fours titles to go along with the mixed pairs title won a fortnight ago.
Only the top 16 across the state make it to the Victorian Championships held in early May.
"I'm elated, it's great," said Samantha. "It's the first time I'm going to Bendigo."
After being selected to trial for the state team but ultimately not being selected last year, Samantha gained extra motivation. She travelled to Sunbury for extra training and targeted the state events to get noticed.
"My goal is to make the state team and hopefully, eventually, the Australian team. So this is a step in the right direction."
Samantha, who lives in Warragul, won all five state events at the Strzelecki North region level. A fortnight ago she won the mixed pairs alongside Drouin clubmate Toby Wallace but lost the women's pairs with her mum Sheryl Atkinson.
However, Sheryl will still be on hand for advice and to calm nerves at Bendigo after joining Samantha in the winning triples and fours teams. Drouin bowlers Maureen Leighton and Jan Aubrey are also headed to Bendigo with Maureen a member of both triples and fours and Jan Aubrey in the fours team.
After trailing 13/18 to Strzelecki South winner Angela Hackett of Leongatha on Sunday, Samantha won the last nine ends to secure a 25/18 win.
In the triples, Samantha, Sheryl and Maureen won 20/12. It was a big win in the fours, the Drouin team dominating to win 20/4.
Looking to the Victorian Championships in Bendigo, Samantha is aiming to make finals and dreaming of a win.
With the draw already out, Samantha knows she faces a "tough one" in her first round against a former world champion and current Canada player. However, with four clubmates and family set to cheer her on, she is aiming big.
"We have five members from the club going, which must be a record for our club," she said.
Samantha says "the whole reason I got into bowls is it's a family affair", with her grandfather John Bulmer, parents Mark and Sheryl Atkinson and younger brother Corey Atkinson all members of Drouin Bowling Club.
