Nine of Wagga’s best disability bowlers scored medals at the NSW Inclusion Cup in Gosford. Photo: Supplied.
Wagga’s best disability bowlers have travelled across Australia in recent weeks to participate in some of the most prestigious inclusion tournaments in the country.
Tim St Clair was the first to represent Wagga when he travelled to Coolangatta for the Inclusion Cup during the last weekend of February, taking on bowlers from across the country.
Tim finished the tournament in 7th in a pool of more than 25 bowlers, averaging 179.4 across his games.
Tim then joined a larger team of Wagga bowlers last weekend (14-15 March) for the NSW Inclusion Championships in Gosford.
Each of the nine bowlers who participated in Classic (Open competition), A, B and C Grade competition, across singles, doubles and trios, won at least one medal, with Erica Woodward, Jacinta Steele, and Tim St Clair all claiming top spot in Classic and A Grade Doubles competition.
Wagga Tenpin Bowling director Wendy Smith said the local bowling community was proud of the team’s efforts at recent tournaments, and it was proof the sport was going from strength to strength within Wagga.
“Everyone here in the Wagga bowling community is so proud of our disability bowlers,” she said.
“We were thinking we’d be happy if they managed to get one or two medals as a team, but for all nine of them to get one is really, really special.
“I really think they thought they didn’t do as well as they did, so for them to come away with the haul that they did is so incredible.”
Ms Smith said the encouraging result had created a lot of confidence within the local bowlers, especially with more competitions closer to home on the horizon.
“A lot of our bowlers can’t afford to travel for competitions every couple of months,” she said.
“This competition was in Gosford, which is quite a big trek. Fortunately, we have our own competition in August and a couple of others in Canberra around the corner.
“It’s great to be able to because people will get to see what our bowlers can do. Hopefully, we can encourage more people to get out there and do it themselves.”
Ms Smith said the sport was continuing to grow in Wagga, with more and more leagues reaching capacity each season.
“It is encouraging to see so many people, especially people with a disabillity want to take up the sport,” she said.
“What people might not understand is just how inclusive it is. There are ways for everyone to play, whether they have physical or learning disabilities.
“Often is the case that our disability bowlers are some of the best bowlers across all our leagues. It’s really pleasing to see that because it shows, regardless of who you are or what condition you have, you can play and play well.”
