Bridging the divide through sport

The most sought-after and prestigious lawn bowls event, the Accumulo Bowls Challenge which is now in its fifth year, recently raised R56 8210 for CANSA.

Accumulo Consulting has now come on board for Disability Bowls. The company is the main sponsors of the Accumulo Rainbow Trips, which aims to bridge the divide of colour, sex, age and ability in bowls, while raising funds for disabled sport.

The Rainbow Trips event was initiated in 2014 to raise funds for the Protea team, which attended the World Championships for bowlers with a disability. The event took place in New Zealand in February this year.

The team of 22 players, made up of visually impaired and physically disabled players, brought home the World Cup.

The team also brought home a total of 15 medals, including gold, silver and bronze.

Accumulo joined the Rainbow Trips with the aim of raising funds to host an International Quadrangular event in 2017 for bowlers with a disability.

The field for the Accumulo Rainbow Trips this year consists of 24 teams of three players each, playing over two days on only one green at the Lombardy East Bowling Club on September 19 and 20.

The competition boasts an increase in black bowlers. Last year there was only one team, but this year five teams were fielded. Some of these bowlers have been sponsored for development.

The range of ages in the competition is from 18 to 86. There will also be two Proteas from the disabled side.

Anyone interested in watching the ‘Melting Pot’’ of lawn bowls is welcome. Entrance is free.

Tea and lunch will be charged at R75 per person and all the proceeds will go to Disability Sport.