Local Lion to coach SA Special Olympics tenpin team
Ten pin bowling is a new sport for the Special Olympics.
Lion Karin Preston will represent South Africa at the World Games in Los Angeles in the ten pin bowling unified sports female doubles from 21 July to 4 August, as part of the South African Special Olympics team.
“We were approached from Lions International to have an Unified Sports Programme with the Leos clubs and Special Olympics South Africa,” said Karin, who is a member of eThekwini South Lions Club and the Lions district chairman.
Ten pin bowling is a new sport for the Special Olympics.
Two Leos from Durban and three from Cape Town were selected for the training in May. The first practise was held at Dolphin Bowl in August. From there, two Leos were selected to participate in the national ten pin Special Olympics at Fourways in Gauteng.
Karin’s name was drawn out of a hat as coach and Mariska Viljoen of Amanzimtoti High School was drawn as the Leo to travel to Los Angeles next year to compete at the Special Olympics.
“I’m very excited to be chosen,” said Karin. “I’ve never been to America.”
Karin will coach three SA bowlers in the national team. “To learn how to coach from May to now was relatively easy and quick to pick up, although there are some technical aspects that I still need to learn.”
Intellectually challenged youth from the ages of 16 and 21 who are interested in playing ten pin bowling can contact Lion Karin Preston for more information at dollybird.preston@gmail.com
