PARKHILL Bowling Club member John Barry has described his selection for the Port Natal Veterans team as an ‘honour and a privilege’.

The Umgeni Park resident is one of three members from the club to have been selected for the South African Inter-Districts Bowls Tournament.

Louis Tolmay will join Barry as part of the Port Natal Veterans team while Graham Schouten was selected for the Port Natal A-side.

The annual fours tournament will be held in March next year and will see teams competing at different venues around the country.

The Port Natal A-side will be playing at the Parkhill Bowling Club, while the Veterans side will travel to George.

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Barry, who will earn his 50th Port Natal cap at the tournament, said both he and the team are hoping to better the bronze medal they won earlier this year.

“The aim is to win gold. I believe we have an extremely strong, experienced side, and we are holding out hopes of being crowned the champs. We did win gold two years ago at the SA Inter-Districts, and I’m sure we will be able to do so again,” he said.

The 68-year-old added that fellow club member Tolmay would be surpassing his 70th cap while club member Schouten would earn his 100th cap.

“There are a few landmarks for us to look forward to, and it is indicative of the experience and passion we have for the game that we’ve been reselected,” he explained.

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Barry, who began playing bowls in 2001, also spoke on his selection for the Veterans team.

“I’m truly over the moon. I was first selected for the side in 2015, but it is always an honour and a privilege to be named in the team. Being selected is an acknowledgement that you are one of the better players in your district,” Barry said.

Barry said he hoped residents would come out and support the Port Natal A-team at next year’s tournament.

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