On November 7, the group of bowlers consisting of young people with special needs were supposed to have their very first competition at Brackenhurst Bowling Club. Needless to say, rainy weather put a stop to that.

Yet rain could not put a damper on the spirited young bowlers and their coaches. The evening continued with a celebration of each player’s participation throughout the year at their special prize-giving ceremony: a reminder that this evening gave them all the opportunity to also shine off the greens.

It was smiles, claps and cheers from parents and team members alike as the players were called to receive their certificates and gift packs.

As the evening drew to a close, with pride written on the players’ faces, there is no question that this initiative is rolling out hope for young people with special needs.

About Crafty Rollers

With lawn bowls being one of the most inclusive sport disciplines, the Crafty Rollers found a home away from home where they can also prove themselves on the greens at Brackenhurst Bowling Club.

This initiative was the brainchild of Adrie Oosthuizen, founder of Creative Crafts and Catering, and Warren Ciorovich of Brackenhurst Bowling Club.

Warren is the uncle of Noah, who is part of Creative Crafts and Catering, and they have been bowling casually for some time. When Adrie asked Noah’s mom what she thought about the idea of starting a bowling team for people with special needs, she loved the idea. And the rest is history.

Crafty Rollers now give young people with autism and Down syndrome the opportunity to excel on their own, make friends, interact and socialise with other people, and grow as individuals.

Special thanks

Creative Crafts management and their special needs colleagues would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Warren Ciorovich for helping bring to life Adrie Oosthuizen from Creative Crafts’ vision of teaching her colleagues with special needs how to bowl.

This paved the way for building their confidence, encouraging social interaction and introducing them to a fun, inclusive sport.

Thank also goes to the Brackenhurst Bowling Club members, community and coaches for their incredible generosity and support during their Bowling Competition and Craft Market on the day.

The event was a wonderful celebration of teamwork, inclusion and community spirit.

Kind sponsors

A special thanks go out to the individuals and sponsors whose kindness and contributions made the day truly special:

• Lance Michler, for generously sponsoring all the Crafty Rollers T-shirts.

• Bruce Dinwiddie, for sponsoring the bowling certificates that made our players beam with pride.

• Amanda Le Grange, for her thoughtful sponsorship of the goody bags, which added a lovely touch of excitement for our participants.

• Audrey (club secretary), for her tireless assistance and dedication throughout the day. Your efforts ensured everything ran smoothly from start to finish.

• A heartfelt appreciation also goes to the Crafty Rollers’ amazing coaches: coach Corrie, coach Desire, coach Jacques and coach Elrich.

They continue to give so selflessly of their time each week. Your dedication, patience and passion for coaching the Crafty Rollers have helped the special team members not only learn the beautiful sport of bowling but also gain confidence, friendships and joy. You are making a lasting difference in their lives.

Celebrating success

During the evening, success was celebrated in more than one way.

The Creative Crafts Market was also a tremendous success. The special needs colleagues were overjoyed by the wonderful support from the community. Every purchase of their beautifully handcrafted goods was met with heartfelt gratitude, with each sale representing encouragement, empowerment and pride.

“To the Brackenhurst community, club members and everyone who joined the evening, thank you for making this event one to remember,“ said Adrie. “Your kindness and support remind us that when hearts come together, inclusion and creativity truly thrive.”

If you are a parent of a special needs adult and would like to offer your loved one a meaningful and impactful opportunity in life, contact Adrie at 073 135 3570 or Elanda at 073 070 0404 to learn more about the facility.