Ekurhuleni Bowls and Northmead Bowling Club bowler Wilma Richardson has collected many accolades in the sport and after moving to the masters’ category following a trophy-laden opens section career, she is not slowing down.
Richardson won the provincial women’s open masters singles title for seven consecutive years.
She continued that streak when she won her first national senior masters title in her first year competing in that category in 2022 at Wingate in Pretoria.
Last year, she finished third and was not selected for the provincial team this year.
Her dedication and commitment to the sport, in a career spanning more than 20 years, exemplifies that taking part in an activity that you love almost always leads to success.
“Bowls are my life. I love it so much and that is the reason I am doing so well,” she said. “The camaraderie, friends I made and my opponents make life easy.”
The bowler first hit the greens of Northmead Bowling Club in 2000 and forged a successful career in the sport. She played her first inter-district tournament in 2004, representing the district’s B side for one year before being drafted into the women’s open team.
“I’m fortunate to have good bowling skills and it has helped me a lot. It is a natural thing that happened to me.”
She played for the elites for a few years and became a third (measures all and any disputed shots) until becoming a skip (skips are in charge of their teams and rink) for the open side. She’s now the seniors’ team skip.
“In my first season as a skip for the seniors, we got a silver at the inter-districts earlier this year in Pretoria. It was wonderful,” Richardson said.
Despite her success, she still has the same passion she had when she started and will continue contributing to growing the sport in the district.
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