Oelofse to represent his country
Rynfield resident earns selection for national team
Thinus Oelofse (33) was recently selected for the South African lawn bowls men’s squad who will take part at the annual African States Championships, in September, in Botswana.
Oelofse, who has been a member of the Brakpan Mines Bowling Club for eight years, is a fine example of bowls development, having come through the ranks as a junior player to the national level.
He began playing the sport at nine years of age, at Avion Park Bowling Club, in Kempton Park.
The Rynfield resident has also represented his province for about 17 years now and told the Herald that earning selection for the national team is something he has been working towards all his life.
Oelofse was also picked for the South African Master’s Bowls side earlier this year and described it as an honour to have now been selected for both teams.
Looking ahead, the Brakpan Mines bowler said that he would like to play in the World Bowls Championship next year, and has a shorter term goal of gaining selection for the national team who will play a test series against Namibia, in November.
In preparation for the African States Championships, Oelofse said that he tries to put in about two hours of practice a day.
The Protea bowler offered some advice to prospective bowlers: “First come and try the game out and if you like it join us,
“We have a lot of social bowls days where you can try it out.”
He added: “It is not an old man’s sport, it has changed and the youngsters play a much more positive game, which is extremely competitive and enjoyable.”
