Brakpan Mines cheers for fourth Protea
Club celebrates the national selection of one of their own.
There was cause for celebration at the Brakpan Mines Bowling Club on the night of Friday, July 25, when members paid tribute to the fourth bowler in their 102-year history to earn selection for the Protea national team, Thinus Oelofse (33).
He was recently selected for the South African lawn bowls men’s squad that will take part in the annual African States Championships, in September, in Botswana.
Oelofse, who has been a member of the 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 Benoni 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 of 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 been selected for both teams.
Looking ahead, the Brakpan Mines bowler said he would like to play in the World Bowls Championship, next year, as well as gaining selection for the national team that will play a test series against Namibia, in November.
In preparation for the African States Championships, Oelofse said, he tries to put in about two hours of practise a day.
The Protea bowler offered some advice to prospective bowlers: “First come and try the game and then, if you like it, join us.
“We have a lot of social bowls days where you can try it out.
“It is not an old man’s sport, the game has changed and the youngsters play a much more positive game, which is extremely competitive and enjoyable.”
President of Brakpan Mines Bowling Club Ashley van der Muller said he was immensely proud of Oelofse’s selection and that he has no doubts that people will see him representing the country at the next Commonwealth Games.
“Very few bowling clubs in South Africa can boast of having a national player in their ranks,” he added.
