Most people are slowing down at the age of 75, but for Jacky Hudson life is only getting busier.
In July the great-grandmother will pull on the green and gold at a Commonwealth Games for the first time after being selected in Australia’s 12-strong Jackaroos squad.
The vision-impaired lawn bowler admits she still can’t quite believe it.
“Never in my wildest dreams,” she said.
“I’m still pinching myself all the time. Actually, I nearly feel like crying.”
The remarkable selection caps off an unforgettable week for Hudson, who also learned she is about to become a great-grandmother again.
Born in Papua New Guinea, Hudson comes from a family with deep sporting roots.
Hudson’s son played for the Socceroos and her grandson plays in the NRL. (ABC News: Glenn Mullane)
Her son Stephen Laybutt represented Australia as a Socceroo at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and her grandson Zac Laybutt is making his mark as a winger in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys.
But despite the family pedigree, Hudson says sport was never something she thought she would pursue.
“I’d never played sport because I’ve been vision impaired since birth, so I have a very sporty family, but now it’s my turn,” she said.
Hudson took up bowls after retiring, using it as a way to meet people.
But what began as a social pastime soon transformed into something far greater, earning her a place in Bowls Australia’s high-performance squad four years ago.
Now she’s headed to one of the biggest sporting stages in the world.
Hudson says the inclusiveness of lawn bowls is what makes it so special.
“The fact that you can go and play with able-bodied players, you can be five or 95, that’s the biggest thing for me,” she said.
“There’s no judgement.”
Hudson will compete in the vision-impaired mixed pairs alongside teammate Jake Fehlberg, who is preparing for his third Commonwealth Games campaign.
Australia’s Commonwealth Games Jackaroos team. (ABC News: Glenn Mullane)
The duo won gold at the 2023 World Bowls Championships.
“We get along really well off the green as well, we’re basically like family,” Fehlberg said.
“Hopefully we can take that form and get another good result over in Glasgow.”
Hudson jokes the 32-year-old is “like her grandkids” but says their friendship has become one of the reasons behind their success.
Glasgow will offer an experience unlike anything Hudson has known before and she plans to savour every second.
“I’m sure I will relish every moment of it,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to just being part of that whole team, wearing the green gold for Australia, and just doing the best I can for everybody.”
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games bowls squad:
Open
Men’s singles: Aaron Wilson (Cabramatta, NSW)
Men’s pairs: Corey Wedlock (Merrylands, NSW) & Aaron Teys (Warilla, NSW)
Women’s singles: Ellen Fife (Cabramatta, NSW)
Women’s pairs: Dawn Hayman (St Johns Park, NSW) & Kelsey Cottrell (Club Helensvale, Qld)
Para
Para men’s pairs: Damien Delgado (Club Tweed, Qld) & James Reynolds (Cabramatta, NSW)
Para women’s pairs: Louise Hoskins (South Johnstone, Qld) & Serena Bonnell (Club Tweed, Qld)
Vision-impaired mixed pairs: Jacky Hudson (Soldiers Point, NSW) & Jake Fehlberg (Bargara, Qld)
By
