Plumber by day, bowler by fame
Following his recent success in Cape Town, Roberts is eyeing greater glories abroad.
THE Highway Mail caught up with Hillcrest bowler Wayne Roberts who won the finals of the Professional Bowls Association tournament in Cape Town recently.
The 36-year-old is ranked fourth in the world. His win in the Mother City earned him an invitation to play in the World Indoor Bowls Championship at the Potters Resort in Hopton-on-Sea in England in January next year. It is a singles and pairs event.
Roberts said he has been playing bowls for 18 years. “My parents played bowls and my dad eventually convinced me to start playing.”
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Following his recent success in Cape Town, Roberts is eyeing greater glories abroad
“It’s an amazing achievement; I feel extremely proud of making the top 10 in the world.
“It is something that has always been on my list of goals, to get to the top and hopefully maintain a top 12 ranking to be able to qualify for The World Masters later this year in Hong Kong.”
He attributed his success to a lot of hard work and dedication to the sport. “Practice is key to your success and it also helps having a sporting background as you can adapt quicker.
“Unfortunately bowls in South Africa is an amateur sport, we don’t get paid by Bowls South Africa. So for most people it’s a hobby and a way to meet new people and play in tournaments around your province or even around the country if you are someone who would be keen to travel,” he said.
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As for the misconception that bowls is a sport for old people, Roberts said that it is no longer viewed as a sport for retired folks.
“It’s open to all ages. Bowls South Africa have tournaments every year for U15, U18, U30.”
Outside of his expertise in bowls Roberts is a qualified plumber.
“I had my own business for nine years which I recently sold as we are in the process of moving to New Zealand. I have been married for five years to my lovely wife Chantal and we have a two-year-old daughter Chayne,” he said.
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