Resilience, skill of disabled bowlers on display at Nationals

The recent South African National Championship for the Disabled (BDSA Nationals) brought together bowlers from across SA at the Bedfordview, Belgravia, and Ridge Park bowling clubs.

The event showcased the skill and determination of athletes with a range of physical challenges, from the B1 (totally blind) to B8 (physically disabled) categories. The Bedfordview Country Club served as the main headquarters, with the Ridge Park Bowling Club acting as a sub-headquarters for the tournament.

Organised annually by Blind and Disabled Bowls South Africa (BDSA), the BDSA Nationals is more than just a competition. It is a chance for bowlers to meet new faces, share their stories and be part of a welcoming community.

The event is a powerful reminder of the human spirit because athletes demonstrate exceptional skill and passion for the sport, regardless of their abilities.

Amanda Booysens is a visually impaired bowler who lost her sight at the age of 11 due to cone-rod dystrophy (CORD), a genetic condition affecting the retina.

Booysens is new to the sport, having only started playing recently, and this year marked her second appearance at the Nationals.

“A friend of mine who is also blind introduced me to bowls and my director. I gave it a try, and after last year’s Nationals, I’m enjoying it more and more. I can see improvement in my performance this year, and it makes me happy,” she said.

Another standout athlete, Tracy Smith, a blind bowler, lost her sight in 1986 due to a tragic accident. Despite this, she never lost hope.

“I joined blind bowls four years after the accident, and loved it from the start,” she explained.

This year, Smith won gold in the B1 ladies and B1 mixed pairs categories, marking her 20th South African National singles title and 13 mixed pairs titles.

“I’m very competitive, and so is my husband and director, Tommy,” she said.

“We put a lot of time and effort into this sport, and I always want to do my best.”

Smith encouraged other people with disabilities and young people to try bowls.

“It’s a wonderful experience, and once you start, you won’t want to stop,” she added.

Michiel Kruger, another champion bowler, began losing his sight at 12 due to macular degeneration. Despite his vision challenges, Kruger continued to pursue his love of sport, and bowls remains a key part of his life.

“I started playing bowls 45 years ago, and I still enjoy it,” he said.

Tommy Smith, Tracy’s director and husband, emphasised the dedication of Tracy and Kruger.

“Tracy and Michiel are part of the South African Disability team (Protea team) and world champions,” he said.

“They continue to show that they are more than able.”

Megan Yorke from the Ridge Park Sports Club shared her experience of hosting the tournament on their greens.

“It’s been an amazing experience hosting these incredible bowlers. We’ve worked hard to make sure they feel at home, even making alterations to the building to accommodate wheelchair users,” she said.

“It’s humbling to be part of such a prestigious event, and it makes you appreciate your physical abilities. The level of skill and passion on display has been truly inspiring.”

This year’s BDSA Nationals were filled with inspiring performances from athletes who defy the odds. Whether visually impaired or physically disabled, each showed that with dedication and courage, anything is possible, proving again that bowls is a sport for everyone, regardless of age, size, ability or disability. The tournament was a huge success, and the bowlers are already looking forward to next year’s competition.

The results of the Bowls South Africa National Championship for the Disabled 2025:

B1 ladies’ singles

Gold – Tracy Smith, Tommy Smith (director);

Silver – Diane du Plessis, Fred Matthee (director);

Bronze – Amanda Bester, Hannetjie Fourie (director).

B1 men’s singles section 2

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’s 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 men’s singles section 6

Gold – Nicolas Dedekind, Friedel Dedekind (director);

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 and Tommy Smith (director);

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

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

B2 mixed pairs section 8

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

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

Bronze – Thomas Georgea and Nicky de Villiers (director) and Cindy Jacobs and Sidney Africa (director).

B3/4 mixed pairs section 9

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

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

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

B6 men’s singles sections 10/11/12

Gold – Logan Subramony;

Silver – Deon van der Vyver;

Bronze – Hans Horn.

B7 men’s singles sections 13/14/15/16

Gold – Eric Streso;

Silver – Jakes Jacobs;

Bronze – Gareth Rees-Gibbs.

B8 men’s singles sections 17/18/19

Gold – Des Gardner;

Silver – Wimpie Viljoen;

Bronze – Gustav van der Merwe.

Ladies’ singles sections 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.

Men’s pairs sections 23/24/25

Gold – Grant Tintinger and Lee Van Apeldoorn;

Silver – Roger Hagerty and Deon van der Vyver;

Bronze – Jarid James and Eric Streso.