Unlikely sportsman learns with his eyes

A bowls player who has emerged from the most unusual place has his sights set on representing his country in the sport.

Joseph Gaowe, an assistant green keeper at the Randfontein Bowling Club (RBC) is an aspiring bowls player. He has learned the sport by simply watching others play.

“I work at the club but I haven’t been here long. It’s been maybe three years now. I was taught how to look after the green,” he said.

While performing his daily tasks, Joseph watched as members of the club played and fell in love with the sport. He started playing bowls at the beginning of last year just to see if he could do it. “I wanted to play and the people at the club let me,” he said.

He explained that some members of the club saw his interest and wanted to help him develop it. They got together enough money for his uniform and his annual club fees, which started Joseph off on a positive note in the sport. He went on to be part of the Randfontein bowling team that won their league.

This year, however, Joseph is not fortunate enough to have any sponsorships.

“I want to play but I just don’t have the money for it. Even if I manage to get enough money for the annual fees, how will I travel to competitions?”

Ironically, his means of income also interferes with his dreams of making a name for himself in the sport.

“It would be nice to play more and learn, but sometimes I just don’t have the time to give bowls a lot of my attention. There’s always a lot of work to be done at the club,” he said.

Even though finances are an issue, he has his sights set on playing in the South African team. He practises as often as he can to keep his skills sharp and also learn new ones.

For now he trains by himself when he has time away from his work at the club. When an extra player is needed, Joseph also fills in where he can but his real passion is to develop as a player and to move through the ranks in bowls.

“I love this sport too much. But I still have a lot to learn,” he said modestly.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.

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