Kelly (20), a mechanical engineer, kept himself in the New Zealand selectors' radar with solid performances at the North East Valley Invitation singles last weekend.
He won four of his seven games in section play to qualify for the plate event, where he was beaten by former Australian international and Commonwealth Games champion Trevor Morris.
He lost three of his first four games in section play, and then fought back to win his last three, his final two games being convincing wins against internationals Sean O'Neill (South Canterbury), 25-13, and Glen McDonald (Canterbury), 25-5.
Kelly received a late call-up from tournament organiser Terry Scott when he was cycling home from work.
"I received a call-up on my cellphone from Terry when Rowan Brassey was injured," he said.
"It was confirmed the next day. I just about fell off my bike. Ever since I became competitive, this is one of the events I wanted to play in. It was good to finally get here."
Gary Lawson (Canterbury) was the bowler he most wanted to test himself against.
He lost 25-18 to the double world champion.
Kelly remains a confident bowler but he has toned down his aggressive instincts and this helped him win an expenses-paid trip to the Welsh Masters singles in Llanelli at a Professional Bowls Association event in Dunedin last winter.
Kelly first made his mark on the national scene when the teenage "Kelly Gang" finished runner-up in the fours at Wellington in January 2006.
At that time, he was noted for his powerful driving.
Because of his overseas commitment, Kelly will only be able to play in the singles and pairs at the national championships at Auckland.
"It will be another big occasion for me," Kelly said.
"I'm going from high to high at the moment."
He is not fazed by playing against the best bowlers in the land.
"I grew up in a small town and was used to fighting against the bigger fish all the time," he said.
"It didn't faze me. I had good guys with me and it was just a matter of chucking a few good bowls down."
Kelly started playing bowls with the Pukeuri Club in Oamaru nine years ago at the age of 11. Why did he start?
"I used to watch my old man play and I used to jump on the green when they had finished and chuck a couple down," he said.
"The game captured me the first time I picked up a bowl."
Both his parents play the game - Bruce, his father, has won six North Otago titles and Kerry, his mother, has won three.
What did he like about bowls?
"The good-natured people who play the game," he said.
"It is a game of skill but people don't realise that until they give it a go."
Kelly won the New Zealand secondary schools singles in 2005 and has won the national under-25 title twice.
He has represented New Zealand junior teams on three trips to Australia.
