Roëbert a candidate for Proteas

TITLE-WINNING Joel Roëbert is Western Province’s leading singles player in the four-bowl format.

The Mowbray Bowling Club member came from behind to beat legendary Kevin Campbell of Glen Country Club 21-19 in the final of the Western Province Masters at Durbanville Bowling Club to bag his third title in the invitations-only event.

Roëbert is also a WP singles and WP champion of champions winner. Then add two SA pairs titles and an SA singles final appearance at this year’s nationals, and one wonders why the fellow hasn’t earned a place in the national squad.

He practices daily in pursuit of perfection and admits he is not the most talented player around.

“I have to put in the hard yards to make up for my shortcomings,” he said. “The more I practice the better I become. I thrive on working hard on my game.

“I have a goal and that is to make the national team. I just hope my achievements aren’t going unnoticed. All I can do to improve my chances is to win as many titles as I can, and I’ve racked up eight over the years. The ball is now in the court of the national selectors.”

However, two things are not in his favour. He is in his early fifties and his commitment levels in a team environment have been questioned on more than one occasion.

Maybe Roëbert needs to look within for the answers and solution to the conundrum he faces. If not, he could end up being a victim of his own circumstances.

He should seek out the advice of a man of the calibre of Campbell, who has done it at the highest level.

Campbell was at the heart of SA’s clean sweep at the World Outdoor Bowls Championship on home soil in 1976. He went on to showcase his skills on the world stage and today still holds his own in top company aged 66.

He is the only man to win the SA Masters in four different decades. The little maestro knows better than most what it takes to play for the Proteas.

Edgemead’s Sylvia Burns defeated Maggie van Zyl of Durbanville 21-14 in the women’s final.

Burns is a multiple winner of numerous singles events and over the years has represented SA with distinction.