The South African Bowling Association was founded in 1904 as the governing body for the sport of bowls in South Africa. One of the largest regions was Gauteng, which included the East Rand district now known as Ekurhuleni.
This district consists of 21 bowling clubs and boasts some of the best bowlers in the country. This is a huge task to ensure that all clubs within the district deliver the same level of excellence as prescribed by EKB District in line with Bowls South Africa.
EKB Lawn Bowls District is spearheaded by Craig Hall, a full time contracting engineer with a 30 year bowling CV. Evidently, bowling was in the blood as Craig grew up in a home of avid bowling enthusiasts.
True to form, Craig began his humble bowling journey at Bedfordview Bowling Club (part of the Johannesburg Bowls Association) with Henselite size five bowls which were also huge benders.
Some of the clubs that Craig has been a member of include Kleinfontein, Benoni Country Club, Brakpan Mines and Alberton. Each club still delivers great levels of bowling talent.
It didn’t take long before Craig’s love and discipline for the sport earned him some worthy accolades on the podium. His greatest achievement was the victor ludorum B District.
Craig’s name became well known, not just in the Johannesburg District, but within the East Rand too as he ultimately moved to Delville Bowling Club where he played in several competitions and league matches
A superb club, situated in the sporting nucleus of Germiston, just behind the Herman Immelman Athletics Stadium and the Delville swimming pool, it consists of approximately 130 bowling enthusiasts.
Delville Bowling Club is well respected for its long-standing history, outstanding greens and high level of bowlers.
Making an impact
Though his passion lies in playing the game of bowls and being among his fellow bowlers on the greens, Craig felt that he could make a positive impact in the administration and execution of bowls within a greater portfolio on the East Rand.
Given this, he ventured into spreading his wings serving as the current president of the Ekurhuleni Lawn Bowls District for the past five years. Not new to the executive, Craig began making an impact in 2010, 2011 and again in 2016 within the committee.
Described by his colleagues and fellow bowlers as organised, loving, fair and a perfectionist, Craig clearly applied these virtues to his greatest bowling career challenge during Covid-19 when restrictions detrimentally affected the country as a whole.
“Bowlers by nature are socially gregarious people who openly show affection to fellow bowlers, however, this simply wasn’t allowed purely to keep checks and rules in place for Covid.” said Craig.
It wasn’t easy to implement the changes needed, however, being well respected and trusted, each club actioned the updated bowling rules for everyone’s safety.
During Craig’s bowling career, he has seen some of the most incredible talents in the EKB district while investing his time into development and transformation thus opening up the sport to even more interested bowlers.
Asked the question, how does Craig manage to juggle so many “bowls”? His answer came as no surprise, “It’s all for the love of the game and the commitment that I have to let everyone else enjoy the sport as much as I do.”
Where to from here for Craig having walked a successful presidency for the EKB Lawn Bowls District? “Without doubt spending more time on the green with fellow bowlers enjoying great friendships and good conversations.”
What also makes his love for bowling so much richer is that his partner, Adie Crossey, is an avid, well-known and respected bowler too. This makes them a mighty pair of mixed bowlers.
Craig’s journey as president of the EKB will now be handed to Alana Warrender who will continue to fly the flag as proudly as Craig has and who also has earned herself the position.
These are mighty shoes to fill and certainly a monolith warship to manage with so many clubs under the banner and so much to achieve. This is yet another reminder of the nature of the personality behind the man of Craig Hall as he entrusts the handover of his presidency to its new leader.
