Lawn bowlers from the Central Gauteng Association (CGA) for the blind and partially sighted held a training session this weekend (1 November).
The session was held at the Discovery Bowling Club, their new home. The association moved from the Rosebank Bowling Club after a 52-year tenure after their lease was not renewed due to municipality rezoning.
The association is part of the National Association of Blind Bowlers which is 54 years-old. Local blind bowler Derek Carter is chairman of the CGA.
“The lease at the club was cancelled so we decided to move to Discovery Bowling Club. We have been well received by the members of the club as it’s one of the biggest in the West Rand,” said Carter.
Blind Bowls has four sections. B1 category is for the visually impaired, meaning totally blind and bowlers in this category need directors to assist them. In the B2 to B4 categories, bowlers are partially sighted.
The same rules apply with the only difference being a centre string to guide blind bowlers.
The club’s bowlers have had a successful year.
In April the National Championships was held in Pretoria, Tracey Smith won a gold medal in singles and Andrè Marnis won silver and bronze medals in pairs with Reg Smal. Chris van der Merwe and Carter came home with a silver medal each in singles.
The club is looking to grow its membership and should any new prospective players wish to join can contact Carter on 082 873 8449 or Smal on 082 857 4814.
The club is also appealing for new directors to assist the blind bowlers.
A knowledge of bowls is preferred but not essential as training will be given to directors to assist the players.
The members play on the first and third Sunday morning of every month.
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