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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Lawn bowlers have come from all over South Africa, and from as far as Israel, to participate in the South African national tournament. The fact that all of these bowlers are disabled doesn't damp their enthusiasm in the least.
The George Bowling Club is the proud host of the South African Open National Disability Bowls Tournament of 2018, which is taking place from Saturday 26 May until Saturday 2 May at the George and Oudtshoorn bowling clubs. The event takes place shortly after the South African National Bowls Championships every year.
Since the first tournament 1964, it has grown to be an important and popular event that attracts bowlers from all over the world and receives international recognition.
Lawn bowls is among only a handful of outdoor sports that disabled persons can participate in. Members of the associations for the Physically Disabled Bowlers and the Visually Impaired Bowlers of South Africa participate in all classes for disabled bowlers.
This year saw entries from Boland, Central Gauteng, Eden District, Gauteng North, Free State, KwaZulu Natal, North West Platinum, Peninsular (Western Province) and Ekurhuleni (East Rand) among others. There is also a team from Israel.
Entries include people who are totally blind, partially sighted with various degrees of sight, amputees in wheelchairs (commonly referred to as "wheelies"), people on crutches (commonly referred as "wobblies"), amputees with one arm only, and several other grades of disability.
Visually impaired bowlers are usually assisted by a director, who informs the bowler of the type of shot that is required, gives directions concerning the distance and the line and weight of the shot he or she needs to play.
Watch a video below:
Eden District was represented by Ina le Roux (George Bowling Club), Chrystal Barlow (George Bowling Club), Fanie Niehaus (Hartenbos) and Pieter Koekemoer (Mossel Bay). Chrystal, who started bowling 16 years ago, says it is her life. She practises whenever she can. "This is the first year that I am playing for the disabled team. I am playing well and think I can win a silver medal," she says.
The Protea bowling team, some of whom recently took medals in the Commonwealth Games in Australia, are eager to rule the greens at the SA Open National Disability Bowls Tournament. Front: Chris Patton. Back, from left: Tobie Botha, Wimpie Viljoen, Jeff Newcombe, Princess Schroeder and Graham Ward.
This team has come from Israel to take part in the South African Open National Disability Bowls Tournament, which ends on Saturday. Photos: Hugo Redelinghuys
All the teams on the greens of the George Bowling Club at the official opening of the tournament.
Ina le Roux says even though she only started playing four months ago, her club asked her to play for the national competition. "I jumped at the opportunity. Bowls is a wonderful game. I'm always urging people to start playing bowls."
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