Bowls history is being created in Dubbo with Disability Championships on show
BY the time the first bowlers rolled-off the greens at North Dubbo Sporties on Tuesday, a new chapter on inclusion, had been written in Australian Sport.
For the first time, the NSW Disability Championships are being held in conjunction with the NSW Open.
Club Dubbo Bowls Manager, Anthony Brown, who is competing in both tournaments, is very excited.
“This championship is usually run by Wheelchair Bowls, but NSW has taken it on this year and it is sensational!” Anthony said.
“NSW has really gotten behind it, and the numbers are up from previous years,” he added.
The Championships rolled-off at North Dubbo Sporties on Tuesday morning, and the Opens will be played on all three club’s greens right through until Wednesday, March 27.
Anthony says the opportunity for bowls-lovers to see the best of the best, is unequalled.
“Australian Disability Champion, Jimmy Reynolds will be on the rinks.
He is someone we all aspire to be,” Anthony said.
He explained that his sporting ethos is about including everyone in the love of the sport.
“It is amazing to watch him compete against other athletes, who may have missing or prosthetic limbs, and other physical as well as intellectual challenges,” Anthony explained.
“The thoughtfulness of each bowler in their preparation and during games, is something to behold.”
Anthony says there are so many people who haven’t previously been involved because of their “limitations” now on the greens in clubs all over the State.
The championships are in pairs and singles, played in a round-robin format with finals determined by results in the preliminary rounds.
The age group competing is broad – juniors playing Opens through to Seniors – and Anthony is proud of the number of volunteers who are committed to the success of this innovative event.
“All the clubs have come together like we do for major events, and the enthusiasm of everyone is quite unbelievable.
“We recognise this as a chance to build on all the big events like touch footy, golf, racing, greyhounds, the trots, cricket, tennis, swimming, cycling, and all the motor sports that attract people to our city and the region,” Anthony concluded.
Entry is free every day, and all the clubs welcome visitors and new members to the Championships.