Bluff bowler off to Commonwealth Games

OUTSTANDINGLY talented bowler, Wayne Neville Rittmuller, is honoured and proud to be able to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and says he was emotional when he received news that he would compete.
Growing up loving the bowling greens as both his parents were avid bowlers, the 40-year-old Bluff resident started playing bowls when he was 12-years-old and joined Wentworth Bowling Club in 2001, when he was 19-years-old.

“Wentworth Bowling Club was the first club I joined and I remained there until 2005. Both my parents played bowls since before I was born, so I spent most weekends at Wentworth Bowling Club as a young child. When I found out I was selected to compete at the Commonwealth Games, I was very emotional as I knew how much my late parents loved the game of bowls and they both gave so much to the sport. I knew this will make them proud,” said Wayne.

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No stranger to the competitive bowling arena, Wayne has played for the Hillary Bowling Club from 2008 to 2012 and joined the Stella Park Bowling Club thereafter, where he is still a member.
Highlights of his journey as a bowler include making his debut for South Africa at the 2017 African States Tournament, where he achieved three gold medals and was named player of the tournament. He went on to bagging three national titles, as well as additional gold and silver medals for South Africa.

“Bowls can be a major challenge in our country due to it being an amateur sport in South Africa. Bowlers have to juggle full time work life with playing as much bowls as we can throughout the year, squeezing in practice sessions during the week to be on par. I urge those curious and who want to try bowls to simply go down to their local club and just give bowls a try. They will be pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoy it,” said Wayne.
The Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls 2022 Commonwealth Games programme will be held from Friday, July 29 to Saturday, August 6, where the world will watch as bowlers maintain composure under immense pressure as they battle to get closest to the jack.

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