Meet Dylan
Dylan started bowling about 11 years ago when he was at his local club, Moulamein Bowls Club. He decided to have a go with his Grandfather’s bowls and next thing you know he was playing pennant. With his whole family already playing at Moulamein, including Mum and Dad and Grandparents it was an easy transition into the sport.
“I was born with Cerebal Palsy”, said Dylan. “I managed to play all sports growing up though, especially football, which I only stopped playing in 2018. But bowls has become my everyday sport. I have since moved to Swan Hill and now play for Swan Hill Racecourse where I have been playing Division 1 in the Murray Valley Bowls Competition”.
Outside of playing in certain disability events, Dylan has never let his disability get in the way of playing sport. He was selected to represent Victoria in the Multi-Disability State Side, travelling to Adelaide in 2016. When asked how that felt Dylan said, “that was my first time playing in a disabled event and it felt like I belonged, and it was great mixing with other people with disabilities. I haven’t played much disability bowls since, as it’s harder with Swan Hill being in a North-Western area of the State, but when I can I will try and play in as much as I can”.
When asked what he loves about the sport and how he came to be so passionate about being involved in bowls, Dylan’s response was, “it’s a great sport as it’s not as taxing on my body, and I can play for longer periods of time, compared to playing other sports that I grew up with”.
“It’s a great way to meet new people and since moving to Swan Hill Cacecourse the club has made me feel so welcome and part of the furniture. I now work for the club as an assistant to the greenkeeper where I help mow and roll the greens”
We asked Dylan what he thinks about the opportunities that exist for bowlers with a disability in Victoria to which he commented that the opportunity gives so many disabled people a sport they can play for life, including an opportunity to play State Championships, get selected for your State and potentially higher if good enough.
Dylan’s personal bowls achievements include:
Winner 2021 Victorian PWD Pairs Champion
Runners Up 2016 Australian PWD Pairs
2014 Club Pairs Champion Moulamein Bowls Club
2012 B Grade Singles Champion Moulamein Bowls Club
For more stories about our Victorian bowlers with a disability, please click here.
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