Dowling to make history with Commonwealth Games debut

When Rhys Dowling steps out onto the court for the men’s singles at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, he will create history.

The 27-year-old will become the first squash player from the Northern Territory to compete at the Commonwealth Games. 

Dowling, who is just the 14th Territorian to be selected to represent Australia at this level, said making his Commonwealth Games debut was a big achievement. 

“Not many people from the Northern Territory have been selected for the Commonwealth Games previously. It’s the pinnacle of our sport and I'm just proud to represent Australia the best I can,” he said.

“I’ve always wanted to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games. I’ve watched plenty of the Australian teams so I’ve always wanted to put on the green and gold.

“There will be a lot of emotions when I step on the court but I’m going to try to put those aside and play my best and make Australia proud,” he added.

Playing squash since the age of five, Dowling first realised he wanted to become a professional player after winning his first Australian Junior Championships title in 2008. 

That initiated a run of five consecutive titles at Squash Australia’s blue ribbon junior event, including being crowned national champion in 2013 as the Boys U19 winner.

He would also go on to represent Australia at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Qatar where he advanced to the third round and was the highest finishing Aussie in the men’s event.

“I remember going over there, that was my first international experience and it was pretty exciting playing against the top juniors in the world,” Dowling said.

Now the former NT Junior Athlete of the Year winner is preparing to take to squash’s biggest stage in just 16 days. As one of three debutants, Dowling will compete in the men’s singles, as well as the doubles alongside five-time Commonwealth Games medallist Cameron Pilley.

And he can’t wait to make Australia proud wearing the green and gold.

“This is my first time representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games so I'm looking forward to the experience,” Dowling said.

“My partner is one of the greats of Australian squash, Cam won a medal at the last Commonwealth Games, so I hope we can win another gold medal this time.”

Pilley is a former top 20 player in the world, reaching a career-high of world no.11 and holds the record for the world’s fastest squash hit - 175 mph.

“It’s my first time playing doubles with Cam Pilley, and I’m excited to play with him as he has a wealth of knowledge and is an amazing squash player,” Dowling said.

“Hopefully, I can make him and the rest of Australia proud.”

Before heading to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games, Dowling is in the United States for a doubles training camp with Pilley before he travels to Alabama for the World Games.