“When I played the game for the first time with my parents, I immediately fell in love with bowls,” said the 21-year old Bridget Calitz.
Bridget started playing bowls in 2011 and today she is a member and top player of the Leases Bowling Club. “What I like the most about this sport are the spirit, energy and adrenaline that you feel when something happens during a match,” she said.
Throughout her bowls career she had many achievements, such as winning a gold medal at the Junior South Africa Masters, receiving a silver medal at the SA Women’s Nationals and winning a gold medal during the World championships in Kenya, to mention a few. Last year she had the honour of receiving her Proteas colours and a place in the Proteas Bowling Team. “At that moment I was surprised, but I was extremely happy and honoured for the opportunity that I was given,” she added.
She kicked off this year by winning an overall third place during the SA Masters, and was selected for the World Bowls Team to compete in Australia.
Bowling is definitely not a sport just for pensioners anymore. There is no age barrier and can be enjoyed by all. “There is just something about this sport that attracts young people, and I think it is because you are able to meet other young people that you compete against, and also the energy and spirit that they bring to the sport attract younger generations to start bowling,” she explained.
Although she has achieved some of the top prizes, she would still like to achieve some more victories and hopes to one day represent her country in the Commonwealth games. “To be a good bowler you must have respect for your fellow players and yourself. You play your best game when someone gives the same energy,” she concluded.
