A series of trials are now underway at the Nadi Sports Club to select the national men and women’s bowls team to the World Bowls 2016 in New Zealand.

Team manager Curtis Mar said yesterday 15 men and 13 women are vying for the five spots in each team.

“It is all about who is going to represent Fiji at the World Bowls to be held from November 29 to December 11, this year in Christchurch, New Zealand,” he said.

“The men have qualified for two disciplines that are the pairs and the triples. So we are looking for five places in the men’s team and five players in the women’s team.

“The women will be playing for three disciplines; as they have also qualified for the single.

“We have been fortunate to have the support of the Sports Commission who has assisted us in funding of an international coach.

“The period we are going through is the hardest part of our preparations in identifying players that are coachable.”

The national teams are going to be coached by Robbie Dobbins, an international coach that has worked around the world.

“He has coached six different countries that include Australia, Scotland and Malaysia who are world champion teams.

“He has given his service to help Fiji. Most of this is on voluntary basis and he is virtually getting an allowance to come and help, that’s through his own good will,” Mar added.