I had the absolute pleasure today to participate in the Inaugural Integrated Pairs Tournament, held at Brighton B. C. My invitation came by way of Wendy Odgers, now a member at Brighton and a very accomplished wheelchair bowler.

This event was the “brain child” of Trevor Nelson (or is it Nielsen? – only jokin’) of Colac B. C. who wanted to see “Bowlers with Disabilities” integrate and compete in tandem with their able bodied bowling mates.

There are differing levels of disability catered for, be you; Physically, Intellectually, or Stroke related Impaired or have Hearing or Vision Impairments. Coaches are specifically allocated. Nicole Shortis is there for the physically disabled, Gay Jebb & Glen Baskett cater for the intellectually handicapped and Bernice & Peter Stevenson are there for the vision impaired. Each help raise the performance levels and the abilities of their charges ensuring a high level of personal satifaction and inclusion.

Click Here for more information on the Victorian Disability Bowls Program.

For today’s event the disabled bowler must Skip ...and their able bodied partner must Lead! The format of the day was 2 bowl pairs over set ends of 7 or 9 or the bell, in the case of the last. (As it is an inaugural ...who would know how long a game would take! OR how long the kitchen would need!)

After the first round (which at 2 bowls for the Lead and 2 bowls for the Skips over 7 ends) took far less time than was anticipated, the next game was lengthened out to 9 ends.

During the first 2 rounds and before the lunch break,  a few “challenges” were thrown in:

Resting Toucherswent to; Mark Walker, Trevor Nelson, Ben Peachey, Brendan Elliott & Kevin Heagney.

Best “Conversion Shot of the Day”went to: Wayne Farmer

Ditch to Ditch Awards and Spiders went to: Eddie Gibb, Darryn Coulston, Wendy Odgers & Kevin Maple.

Lunch was........Ahhhhh, it was just wonderful! Was it because of the care and attention of the providers and workers (thank you again Waverley Golf, for the Pasta!) and our own Edithvale member Di Cameron and crew (Di you are a legend!).

Bulla Ice Creams topped it all off!! Oh to have such a sponsor. Yep, it’s BULLA for me!

The third and deciding game sorted out (once and for all) who would (and wouldn’t) make it to the Finals.

Sections Winners after this game were:

Phineas Meere/Paul Holtschke with 6 points and 17 shots, Ken Gunning/Neville Telferwith 4 points and 5 shots, Heather Wilson/Robin Larkins 6 points and 35 shots, Brendan Elliott/John McLean with 6 points and 10 shots, Wayne Farmer/Ken Marshall 6 points and 18 shots, John Tait/George Plumb 5 points and 10 shots, Ben Peachey/Trevor Nelson 6 points and 15 shots with best next Darryn Coulston/Partner on 4 points and 16 shots making it an 8 way draw for the Quarter Finals.

The Quarter, Semi and Final were cut-throat at 3 ends each. At this stage of the day you could see why these players made it; there was an impeccable display of precision bowling there in front of the eyes of all who steadfastly remained to see the end of day results played out.

After, photos were taken back on the grass green (and it must be noted here, that such was the demand for entries that all Greens (grass and blue & green carpets) were fully utilised), it was back into the main clubhouse area for the much awaited Presentation of Trophy’s. No-one was left disappointed.

All Skips rec’d a medallion donated by “Resting Toucher” and personally presented by Bowls Vic President Rosemary Varty, together with a gift for those members to pass on to their able bodied friends (Hey, I got mine, and thanks again to Waverley Golf for that !).

Major prize-winners of the day were also presented with their Trophy’s and Shield by President Rosemary. They were:

Runners up - John Tait and George Plumb

Winners – Phineas Meere and Paul Holtschke of Malvern B. C. (Phineas, are you available as an M. C.? you're a great speaker as well as a champion bowler.)

(In my experience, Malvern B. C. has always presented and represented well, so well done Malvern, you’ve had a good win here!)

Glen Baskett thanked all those that pitched in to make today one of the best organised events I’ve ever attended. In particular:

-Maurice Powell, who throughout the day as Brighton Bowling Club Co-Ordinator, attended every need of organiser, player and visitor alike. He was and is a marvel and much appreciated by all.

-Trevor Neilsen (oops...sorry Nelson) for having the push to get this up and running.

-Peter Spence for being pushed (and that’s according to Rosemary V not me!)

-The scoreboard attendants, helpers and very much appreciated kitchen workers.

-The able bodied players who assisted (well everyone needed a partner as Phineas said) and

-The Brighton B.C. for its facilities.

Many thanks went to Sponsors: Resting Toucher and Waverley Golf B. C.

However...... most important to today’s success was the sponsorship Trevor Nelson gained from BULLA DAIRY FOODS in Colac, Vic. Bulla Dairy Foods provided gifts to all participants and prize money. AND let’s not forget we all had a free ice cream or two. Mmmm.

A special award went to, and a special mention must go to, the partner’s of Glen Baskett  (Claire)and Gay Jebb (Stan) (Resp.).....hey, they’d be nothing without you! Thanks also to Margaret Wade of Mentone and all others that chipped in making this a day to remember for all.

More photos of today’s event can be found in the Gallery” Section of this site. (Apologies regarding the quality and exclusions)