Randburg Bowls Club’s commitment to junior development is continuing to bear fruit, with the club’s young bowlers producing an outstanding set of results at the Perfect Delivery Gauteng Open, currently underway.

Long regarded as a sport associated with older generations, bowls is increasingly attracting younger players, and Randburg Bowls Club is proud to be at the forefront of that growth.
The club celebrated outstanding performances from its juniors, securing a gold medal, a bronze, and a quarter-final placing against some of Gauteng’s best young talent.

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Leading the way was the club’s standout junior performer, Rheece Nelson, who added yet another accolade to his rapidly growing bowls résumé. Having already won a gold and a silver medal at the Bowls South Africa National Open Championships in May, Rheece achieved another major milestone by capturing the U25 title.

In a high-quality final, he defeated seasoned campaigner Leila Snyman from Krugersdorp 21–17, overcoming some of the country’s most exciting young bowlers along the way to secure the first position.

Rheece said it had been an incredible season, and he is grateful for every opportunity to compete.

“The standard of play in the U25 section was exceptionally high, and I’m proud to have come through such a strong field. Randburg has always supported and encouraged young bowlers, and I’m thankful to the coaches and senior players who continue to help me improve my game,” he said.

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Keeping the success in the family, younger brother Ethan Nelson also enjoyed an impressive tournament, claiming a bronze in the U18 section. Ethan progressed to the semi-finals before narrowly losing 17–21 to eventual champion Lerato Mpetsi of Krugersdorp.

The club also enjoyed success in the U15 section, where talented youngster Tebogo Mathibela reached the quarterfinals. At just 13 years old, Tebogo is widely regarded as one of the club’s most promising prospects and has already represented the Johannesburg Bowls Association at provincial level, a significant achievement for a player of his age.

Club president Jason O’Connell praised the achievements of the club’s young players and highlighted the significant effort the club has invested in junior development.

“What a fantastic achievement for our junior bowlers. To win gold, secure a bronze and have another player reach the quarterfinals at such a prestigious event is something the entire club can be extremely proud of. We have invested a tremendous amount of time, energy and effort into junior development over the past several years, and we are now beginning to see the rewards of that commitment.”

O’Connell said what excites him most is not only the results but also the number of young players choosing bowls as their sport.

The club has made youth development a key focus area, creating opportunities for young players to learn the game in a supportive and welcoming environment.

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