POWER 50: THE MAN BEHIND CODE
COUNTDOWN ON COAST’S MOST INFLUENTIAL
BRETT Wilkie is the man charged with continuing the reinvention of one of the Gold Coast’s most popular and inclusive sports.
For years, lawn bowls was viewed as a sport specifically for older participants.
It holds value as a lowimpact game that can appeal better than most to various ages and capabilities but with 4819 registered bowlers across the Gold Coast-Tweed district, its reach is growing wider with the work done by the likes of Bowls Queensland chief executive Wilkie.
“I think the sport is thriving, especially on the Gold Coast where we have got a lot of great facilities and a great climate,” said the father-of-five, whose work in bowls started at Club Helensvale back in 2002.
“Bowls has become very popular for people of all ages to come together to play.
“It’s a great social sport whether you like to play a casual game with your mates over a few beers or whether you want to go on to the more serious side of the game where you can enter competitions.
“It is played throughout the world and is a great way to meet a lot of great people.
“It is very inclusive; not many sports you can get out and play with your grandparents or grandchildren.
“I know our clubs are being very busy – especially after Commonwealth Games, the interest has grown.”
In addition to the annual Australian Open, the Gold Coast will host major tournaments in the near future including the Asia Pacific Championships next year and the World Championships in 2020.
Wilkie, 44, had a tremendous playing career of his own until retiring from representative duties in April following the Commonwealth Games to concentrate on his administrative position in the sport where marketing remains a key focus.
“The game has been very good to me over the years … I’m really excited to have the opportunity to work for Bowls Queensland to try to drive the sport into the future,” he said.