2025 Integrated Triples returns
SUNDAY DECEMBER 7TH – After a hiatus in 2024, Victoria Bowling Club in Ballarat was the location for a reintroduced annual favourite, the Integrated Triples tournament. Falling on the Sunday nearest International Day of People with Disability each year, the tournament provides an opportunity to bring bowlers with and without disability together in a competitive celebration of how inclusive the sport of bowls is.
The format of the day was triples, with teams required to have two bowlers classified with a disability and one without; one of the classified players must skip. This format has always given a platform and exposure for members of the Para Bowls community in ways they don’t necessarily get at club level.
As a Skip, some of the more challenging logistics of the game for many players with disability are bypassed; such as measuring, kicking bowls, or even positioning oneself to declare a head at an end’s conclusion. Additionally, the oft looked over Para Bowler gets an opportunity to show their full arsenal of skills in the Skip’s role, an opportunity seldom provided at club level for classified players.
Close contest
Teams competed over four games of ten ends in a tightly contested competition, with no team going undefeated and every team winning at least one encounter. Heading into the last round, it was anyone’s tournament with only one end separating the top three teams (winner decided by games won, then ends, then shots). Not only was there one end deciding the podium, the second and third placed sides were due to meet each other. City Memorial’s Gerald and Sally Madden—in Sally’s first tournament since getting classified, partnering with Big V Para team stalwart Alison East—came up against the Runners Up from the 2025 Para State Championship ID Pairs Ben Peachey (Korumburra), Steve Nelson (Colac) and Steve’s father, Trevor Nelson (Colac).
After jumping out of the gates to an early lead, the East/Madden/Madden combination couldn’t hold on, with the persistent Peachey/Nelson/Nelson triple taking the last four ends to claim the runners up prize.
Winners off to an unfortuante start
The main story however is that of our winners who started the day with one player failing to arrive. Fortunately, Ivan Annear of Ballarat Memorial Sports happened to be in the room as a spare classified player and was able to take to the green alongside Heathmont’s Jason Barrett and Victoria BC’s own Dean Goodwin. From a nervous start dropping their first match, the trio persevered through the remaining three games to take the title with 3 wins, 27 ends, and a +32 shot difference.
Leaderboard
- Winners: Jason Barrett (Heathmont), Ivan Annear (Ballarat Memorial Sports), Dean Goodwin (Victoria)
- 2nd Place: Ben Peachey (Korumburra), Steve Nelson (Colac), Trevor Nelson (Colac)
- 3rd Place: Alex Parker (Ballarat North), Michael Clark (Ballarat North), Paul Carlyle (Invermay)
- Best Afternoon Team: Howard Smith (Clunes), Alan Carnegie (Clunes), Jason Corrie (Burwood District)
Thanks and recognition for supporters of the Integrated Triples
A huge thank you goes out to Joe Capuano for helping reinvigorate this tournament after missing the previous edition and bringing the event to Ballarat and Victoria BC. Thanks to the club volunteers and helpers who made the day such a success and BestaCare for their support in making the event possible.
