Bowls for young and old!

KNSYNA NEWS - The perception that the sport of bowling is for "old ballies" needs to change, which is exactly what the chairman of the Knysna Bowling Club wants to accomplish with the launch of the club's Action Bowls Summer Tournament.

According to Paul Hare, anybody who wants to bowl can bowl, and the club would welcome anyone who wants to take part – young and old alike.

"Our Action Bowls starts on Friday 23 February and we are looking to get as many teams to enter as possible.

"It costs R500 for a team of four members, who will take part over five weeks of fun," says Hare, adding that bowling is much more exciting than people may think.

The fee includes a prize-giving ceremony and a supper on the final evening. "The tournament is aimed at businesses, but private teams may enter as well. We have about 20 teams at the moment, but would like to get 10 more," he says.

Games will be held on Fridays from 16:00.

Apart from the Action Bowls, the club has other exciting news to share with readers.

The first bit of good news is that club member Christopher Patton received his Protea colours and will be representing Bowls SA at the Commonwealth Games in Australia from 4 to 15 April.

Dream come true
Patton is a physically disabled player in the B6 category, and plays from his wheelchair.

"I've been playing for a number of years and went to the Disability Bowls Nationals in Johannesburg.

"There they selected the top disabled bowlers from the past three to four years, who then went to trials in October – the same time as the able-bodied players had theirs.

"The team was only announced at the end of January this year, and all together there will be 17 players going to Australia," says Patton.

He adds that it is an unbelievable feeling being able to represent his country.

"It is something I have been working towards my entire bowling career. Until it happens it is just fantasy, and what an honour to have been chosen," he says.

Christopher Patton, seen here in action, received his Protea colours and will be representing Bowls SA at the Commonwealth Games in Australia from 4 to 15 April. Photos: Supplied

The great thing about bowls, Patton says, is that anyone can play it. "It is the most inclusive all-round sport there is in my opinion.

"The physicality of the game and the excitement levels are definitely underestimated. You use muscles you normally don't, you need coordination, strategy, muscle memory and timing, and you have to take the weather and wind into consideration too. It is a multifaceted sport."