Everything’s Peachey
Meet Ben Peachey, 34, and a valued member of the Bowls Victoria Bowlers with an Intellectual Disability (ID) Squad. Ben is passionate about the Squad and sees his role as “To help and guide the other members with any bowls problems they encounter and support them where possible”. He is actively involved in his club, Korumburra Bowling Club, where he stocks the bar, takes out the bins and any other jobs that are available.
Ben was introduced to bowls when he was fourteen, watching the sport televised on the ABC and thought “why not let’s have a go”. He joined his local club, Karingal Bowls Club, and after two years moved to Korumburra BC. Ben speaks very highly of his club as they have been “So supportive of my achievements.” Korumburra BC “Is more of a family club where everyone is so supportive of other club members achievements and enjoy having a laugh.” This is where Ben was introduced to the ID Squad by a fellow club member.
We asked Ben to tell us about his experience playing bowls with a disability (BWD) and his love for the sport. “My experience playing BWD is that we all enjoy playing bowls with each other, helping each other perform to our abilities. The love about the sport is lawn bowls is not an old person game, everyone can play whether you have a disability or not. We all learn new things everyday whether it is rules or trick shots, whether you can do them or not. Playing bowls is all about learning the game so practice all by yourself or practice with a group and see how you go, win lose or draw, just think how you can improve on your delivery or your weight”, says Ben.
Ben has a strong list of achievements in all levels of bowls. He was runners-up in the inaugural Integrated Pairs in 2012, winner in 2013 with Trevor Nelson and Winner again in 2018. Ben was ID Singles Runner Up at the 2013 Multi Disabilities Championships and winner of the ID Pairs with Steven Nelson in 2018 and 2019. Ben has been part of the winning Vic Country team at the ID Vic Country v Vic Metro Championships for the past three years. Ben has also seen success at club level as runners-up in 2012/13 in the B-Grade Championship and winner in 2019/20.
Ben finished the interview with some wise words. “All I can say is to just keep going with what you are doing bowls related, always look out for your fellow members both old and young. Help around the club that you are with whether it is a couple of hours or one, we all need to keep bowls clubs going”.
