After having their junior inter-provincial tournament for 2020 cancelled due to the Covid pandemic, 48 enthusiastic and talented bowlers took part in a ‘mini’ junior inter-provincial tournament held at Randburg Bowls Club on 27 March.
The tournament hosted by the Boskruin-based bowls club, attracted all of the district sides from the Gauteng region: Ekurhuleni Bowls, Sables District (Western Gauteng), Johannesburg Bowls Association (Central Gauteng) and Bowls Gauteng North.
The tournament attracted bowlers as young as six years old, and was played in two age groups: U15 and U20. The bowls was played in a competitive, yet friendly, spirit. The camaraderie and sportsmanship shown by the junior bowlers was inspirational.
The participants were also treated to some words of advice and encouragement from Protea bowlers Esmé Kruger and Jason Evans. Their talks embraced all of the vital attributes required if bowlers wanted to succeed: Practice, hard work, sportsmanship and representing their district or country with pride.
Randburg Bowls Club vice president Estelle Greyling said, “We, as Randburg Bowls Club, feel extremely proud of being able to host this tournament. It is vital that bowls attracts younger people. It is incredible to watch the enthusiasm, talent, team spirit and camaraderie among the players.”
Tournament organiser and Johannesburg Bowls Association executive member, Terry Turner said, “It really is so gratifying to see the effort put into the game bear fruit the way we are seeing today. The talent on display today is incredible, and many seasoned bowlers would have difficulty competing with these juniors.”
After a long day of competition, the U15 division was won by Sables, with Ekurhuleni Bowls winning the U20 Division. Randburg Bowls Club has an active programme where juniors from the age of approximately eight can take part in a team sport, and experience the camaraderie and competition of the sport.
“We would like to invite anybody who would like to learn the game of bowls to come and enjoy some free coaching at our club,” concluded club president Laurie Stafford.
Details: Randburg Bowls Club info@randburgbowls.org.za 082 308 8471.
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