I understand that funding my trip to Hong Kong in January 2025 to represent Australia in the ‘IBF World Para Championships’ is my own responsibility, but I’m reaching out to friend and family for assistance 

Many people say that Tenpin Bowling is not a sport. Well how wrong are they? Tenpin Bowling is such a ‘Inclusive Sport’ that you can ever come across. Tenpin Bowling caters for any person, age or ability. 

Hi, I’m Ashley Poelstra (23 years old) and I have many disabilities, but my main disability is being ‘Intellectually Impaired’.

I have been bowling since I was about 9 years old. I started bowling just in centre based weekly leagues before moving onto bowling in small disability completions. From competing in small disability competitions I progressed to larger disabilities competition like State Disability Championships to National Disability Championships. Once I found my feet I then moved onto competing in competitions for able bodied junior bowlers, then once I aged out of them moved on to adult abled competitions. 

Growing up I looked up to one of Australia’s Elite Tenpin Bowlers - Jason Belmont, but after been around the bowling industry I look up to other Elite Tenpin Bowlers like - Cameron Walsh, Jason Walsh, Jessie Ellis and watching other junior bowlers progress into the youth/adult world of competitions like - Blake Walsh and Jackson Buckingham. 

My goal along the way was always to be the best I can and represent my country ‘Australia’. So in January 2025 my dream will be coming true by been selected as one of the 8 (4 men and 4 ladies) Australian Disability Athletes to travel to Hong Kong to compete in the 2025 IBF World Para Championships. 

Even though I have a great network of people supporting me - Management at Logan City Tenpin, Justin Edwards from Lefty Jay’s Gold Prospecting, Shane Buckingham and Jesse Ellis from Revolution Pro Shop and that I am forever grateful for to each and everyone of them all, as I would not be the bowler I am today. 

The money raised from this will go directly towards my flight, accommodation and uniform expenses for this trip to Hong Kong in January 2025. So please can I ask for your support in getting me there by donating anything big or small you may have to offer