A day of laughter and bowls

Bowlers and community come together to help youngsters raise money for a national bowls tournament.

March 26, 2020

Leigh Hodgson 1 minute read

Young bowlers Hayden Clevee (11), Cebo Madlala (17), Arran Kinloch (13) and Diann Croje (12) wait for the second round of games to begin at the Ekurhuleni district’s fund-raising bowls day at the Germiston Delville Bowling Club last Sunday.

Several young bowls players from the Ekurhuleni district have been selected to represent the district at the Bowls South Africa National Tournament for u-15 and u-20.

Though the tournament, which was scheduled to be held in Bloemfontein between March 24 and 27, has been cancelled, the Ekurhuleni district held a fun-filled bowls day at the Germiston Delville Bowling Club last Sunday to raise funds for the young players’ trip.

ALSO READ: Top bowling talent on display

The day’s bowls games were played as trips (three players per team) and everyone was welcome to join in, even if you had never played before.

Bowlers from Alberton, Atlas, Avion, Benoni Country Club, Boksburg, Brackenhurst, Reading Country Club, Edenvale, Eastlands Lifestyle Estate, Kleinfontein and Springstown bowling clubs had fun and taught non-bowlers more about the gentle art of lawn bowls.

“We had a tremendous day,” said Pat Rossouw, one of the coaches of the teams.

“We eventually had 44 teams, which is 132 players, participating with a lot of non-bowlers playing and as far as I could tell everyone enjoyed the day.

“The mini flea market was also successful.”

No player left empty-handed, with everyone receiving a prize.

“A big thank you goes to all our sponsors, especially Seven Eagles Spur Greenstone, Rush SA Greenstone and Clicks Karaglen,” said Rossouw.

“Our sponsors really came to the party and helped us to raise some funds.

“It is not all good news, however, the tournament has since been cancelled.

“At this time we are not sure if it is only postponed or cancelled, but if Bowls South Africa can find another date, it may be back on the calendar.”

ALSO READ: Top-class bowling action at National Disability Bowls

Ekurhuleni district u-15 team skip Arran Kinloch shared his thoughts on the tournament being cancelled.

“I know it is disappointing, but I think we should look at this as an opportunity to work harder and become better bowlers,” he said.

“We need to stay positive and not waste any time.

“We need to keep practicing and hopefully we will get to play later.”

Lesli-Anne de Beer waits on the green for her teammates to arrive during the Ekurhuleni district’s fund-raising bowls day at the Germiston Delville Bowling Club last Sunday.

Roman Tulej bowls during the Ekurhuleni district’s fund-raising bowls day at the Germiston Delville Bowling Club last Sunday.

Dorothy Cruse from Atlas Bowling Club was among the players who took to the greens of the Germiston Delville Bowling Club during the Ekurhuleni district’s fund-raising bowls day last Sunday.

Julie Almond, Sandy Gladwin and Tish Watling from the Edenvale Bowling Club and Mary Barnard from the Germiston Delville Bowling Club take a break between games during the Ekurhuleni district’s fund-raising bowls day at the Germiston Delville Bowling Club last Sunday.

Roman Tulej and Lindsay and Barry Petrie were full of smiles as they prepared to play a game of bowls during the Ekurhuleni district’s fund-raising bowls day at the Germiston Delville Bowling Club last Sunday.

Lindsay Petrie lets her bowl roll across the green during the Ekurhuleni district’s fund-raising bowls day at the Germiston Delville Bowling Club last Sunday.

Have a story?

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.

Also follow us on: