Disabled bowlers compete for nationals in Bedfordview

Bowlers with physical and visual impairments from across the country gathered in Bedfordview for the Bowls South Africa National Championship for the Disabled 2025.

The championships kicked off on April 6, with the finals played on April 12, and were hosted by Bedfordview Country Club (BCC) Bowls.

This annual event brought together bowlers with various impairments, competing in singles and pairs formats across different classifications.

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President of Bedfordview Country Club Bowls, Des Londal, said he was happy with the turnout and the players’ performances.

“Bowling is growing, especially disability bowls.

“But unfortunately, for some people, it becomes difficult to take part in the sport as they can’t afford wheelchairs and other necessary equipment,” said Londal.

Matches were split between BCC Bowls, Belgravia Bowling Club, and Ridgepark Sports Club.

“Once again, it just proves that bowls is a sport for everyone regardless of age, size, ability or disability,” Londal added.

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Thrilled to have taken part in the tournament was bowler Glenn Mackintosh from BCC Bowls.

Mackintosh joined the club in 2018. “I initially joined as a social member.

I used to watch the guys play and thought I’d give it a go and I enjoyed it, so I just carried on.

“The tournament has been great, especially because it’s at my home club.

It’s been a great experience,” he shared.

He emphasised the importance of supporting sports, especially for people with disabilities.

“I think it was summed up perfectly the other day – they call it disability bowls, but it’s really about showing your ability.

“Even if you have a disability, it shows that you can still do what others can. It’s more a showcase of ability, not disability,” he added.

“The biggest thing I’ve realised is that everyone has their own challenges to overcome. For example, if I’m playing against a guy in a wheelchair – he’s probably had to wake up early, get dressed, get in the car, and go through a whole process just to be here.

“That really makes me respect the effort people go through just to play a game,” said Mackintosh.
The results were as follows:

B1 Ladies Singles

Gold – Tracy Smith, Tommy Smith (director)

Silver – Diane du Plessis, Fred Matthee (director)

Bronze- Amanda Bester, Hannetjie Fourie (director)

B1 Mens Singles Section 2

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Gold- Michiel Kruger, Cedric Summersgill (director)

Silver Johannes Grib, Debbie Fitzpatrick (director)

Bronze – Gamiet Fortune, Lappies Labuschagne (director)

B2 Ladies Singles Section 3

Gold – Mariza Jurgens, Emil Jurgens (director)

Silver – Michelle Eshun, Victor Trew (director)

B2 Men Singles Section 4

Gold – Keith Orrell , Trevor Freeman (director)

Silver – Vickus Ackermann, Braam Scheepers (director)

Bronze – Francois Neethling, Karin Gouws (director)

B3/4 Ladies Singles Section 5

Gold – Avril Davids, Patrick McDuling (director)

Silver – Princess Schroeder,Graham Ward (director)

Bronze – May Homer, Sandra Madson (director)

B3/4 Mens Singles Section 6

Gold – Nicolas Dedekind, Friedel Dedekind (director)

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Silver – Eben Fourie, Charles Collen (director)

Bronze Roy Peters, Charmaine Bull (director)

B1 Mixed Pairs Section 7

Gold – Michiel Kruger, Cedric Summergill (director) and Tracy Smith, Tommy Smith (director)

Silver – Johannes Grib, Debbie Fritzpatrick (director) and Jessica Grib, Belinda Taylor (director)

Bronze – Gamiet Fortune, Lappies Labuschagne (director) and Corrie Brits, Brian Howell

B2 Mixed Pairs Section 8

Gold -Vickus Ackerman, Braam Scheepers (director) and Keith Orrell, Trevor Freeman (director)

Silver – Francois Neethling, Karin Gouws (director) and Keith Orrell, Trevor Feeman (director)

Bronze – Thomas George, Nicky De Villiers (director) and Cindy Jacobs, Sidney Africa (director)

B3/4 Mixed Pairs Section 9

Gold – Nicholas Dedekind, Freidel Dedekind (director) and Princess Schroeder, Graham Ward (director)

Silver – Abraham Crouse, Cynthia McDuling (director) and May Homer, Sandra Madson (director)

Bronze – Eben Fourie, Charles Collen (director) and Ernest Watkins, Stephanie Watkins (director)

B6 Mens Singles

Section 10/11/12

Gold – Logan Subramony

Silver – Deon Van der Vyver

Bronze – Hans Horn

B7 Mens Singles – Section 13/14/15/16

Gold – Eric Streso

Silver – Jakes Jacobs

Bronze – Gareth Rees-Gibbs

B8 Mens Singles – Section 17/18/19

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Gold – Des Gardner

Silver – Wimpie Viljoen

Bronze – Gustav Van Der Merwe

Ladies Singles

Section 20/21

Gold – Desire Levin

Silver – Margie Palmer

Bronze – Jennifer Davies

Ladies Pairs

Section 22

Gold – Vicky van der Merwe and Louise Evans

Silver – Annatjie Meyer and Jienie Myburgh

Bronze – Jennifer Davies and Cecilla Willemse

Mens Pairs

Section 23/24/25

Gold – Grant Tintinger and Lee Van Apeldoorn

Silver – Roger Hagerty and Deon Van der Vyver

Bronze – Jarid James and Eric Streso