Vic Country v Vic Metro
There is no greater accolade for bowlers in Victoria than representing the Big V and playing for your state. Bowls Victoria supports several state teams already, but imagine if there were no opportunities for you to represent your state on the national stage?
There are currently no National Championships for bowlers with an intellectual disability, so Bowls Victoria’s Disability Support Committee wasn’t going to wait around and expect something to happen, so the Vic Country v Vic Metro Championships were born.
Under the guidance of managers Trevor Nelson (Vic Country) and Mark Walker (Vic Metro) two squads consisting of 16 of the state’s best bowlers were selected to take part.
With the generous support of Somerville BC, it’s Past-President and member of BV’s Disability Support Committee Mario Cima and the clubs’ volunteers, the day ran without a hitch. The day was opened by Bowls Victoria Chief Executive Graeme Bridge, Daniel Mulino MLA, and Bowls Victoria Director Lyn Baker.
Three rounds of matches took place featuring Singles and Pairs competitions, and after the first-round Vic Country held a narrow lead.
Through the second round they extended their lead, meaning Vic Metro needed to win all four Pairs matches in the final round to take home the shield. Unfortunately for them they could only manage one win and a draw meaning Vic Country were the inaugural winners.
Bowls Victoria Disability Support Committee Chairman Tony Scott says now the challenge is to get other states interested and involved, in the hope that one day we will be back to holding National Championships for Bowlers with an Intellectual Disability.
In the meantime however, this event will continue until we see another Victorian team on the National stage. This event is one of the many targets and projects currently underway from the committee that’s playing a huge role in making bowls in Victoria a more accessible and inclusive place for everyone in the community.
This is one of several initiatives Bowls Victoria is working on under Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Access All Abilities program.
If you’d like more information about opportunities for bowlers with a disability, and any of our upcoming events, please contact Scott Nicholas on scottn@bowlsvic.org.au or (03) 9861 7100.
Vic Country
Alison Caldwell (Moe)
Ben Peachy (Korumburra)
Brendan Elliott (Somerville)
Frank Krslovic (Clayton)
Matthew Rushford (Gisbourne)
Natalie Brennan (Bareena)
Steve Nelson (Colac)
Taylor Candy (Frankston)
Manager: Trevor Nelson (Colac)
Vic Metro
Anthony Lipec (Moonee Valley)
Blake Herron (Edithvale)
Campbell Walker (Berwick)
Dave Warner (Berwick)
James Hosken (Elsternwick Park)
Jason Barrett (Mitcham)
Joe Hebaiter (Moonee Valley)
Wayne Farmer (Blackburn)
Manager: Mark Walker (Berwick)
