Family matters at Sunbury BC
One of bowls’ great strengths is that the sport allows families to play together no matter what age. Father-son and mother-daughter combinations have become commonplace at all levels of the sport.
Now, with Open Pennant allowing men and women to play together in top-grade club competition, and the influx of younger bowlers into the sport, we’re seeing new trends.
In 2016, Jody Nevill and Jack Woodhouse became the first mother-son combination to play for Victoria.
Now, in Saturday Metro Pennant, Sunbury have come up with an extraordinary No.1 side which will take some topping for family value.
Their Division 1 side features two father-daughter-son combinations, a father-daughter combination, and a brother-sister. That’s 10 of the 16 players who are related.
There’s the Long family (Dad Wayne, son Paul, 21, and daughter Mikayla, 17), the Trewarne family (Dad Shane, son Todd, 19, and Lisa, 16), and new arrivals at Sunbury – sister and brother Tayla and Lachie Morison, who are 18 and 16 respectively.
Mark Cowan and daughter Elise have played together at Sunbury for several years. Both are Victorian representatives – and Mark an elite coach and official.
While it didn’t quite work in their favour on the scoreboard with Moonee Valley running out 81-74 winners, it won’t be the last time Sunbury’s top side is stacked with family this season.
Defeat is relative for the Sunbury family – Star Weekly
