Bowls Australia Awards Night winners named
NSW’s Aron Sherriff was the big winner at the Bowls Australia Awards Night, staged in Burnie, Tasmania tonight (29/3), claiming the sport’s major accolade for an unprecedented third consecutive time. Testament to his exceptional consistency on the world stage, the Ettalong Memorial world champion secured his third International Bowler of the Year award, as voted by his Australian representative peers, in front of a capacity 300-crowd at the Burnie Arts & Function Centre. During his stunning year on the green, Sherriff, 28, contributed to Australia’s title defence of the traditionally coveted Trans Tasman silverware against New Zealand, was instrumental in Australia’s pre-Commonwealth Games preparatory events in the Northern Hemisphere for the Welsh 4-Nations and 8-Nation Commonwealth Games Invitational, where he pocketed two gold medals, and concluded the year with a strong performance at the Australia v Malaysia International. In a case of deja vu, Sherriff’s state and national teammate, Karen Murphy, also retained her Female Bowler of the Year accolade award that she earned for the first time last year in Bendigo. Murphy’s unforgettable year included claiming her sixth Australian Indoor Championships trophy at Tweed Heads, and runner-up finishes in the Australian Open singles and Super 6 pairs on the national front, and a highlight of capturing the World Champion of Champions event in New Zealand – adding another world title to her impressive résumé. It was a case of third time lucky for Queensland’s Brett Wilkie this year, after finishing runner-up to his Club Helensvale, Queensland and Australian teammate Mark Casey in the Male Bowler of the Year award on two occasions – in 2011 and 2013. An extremely successful year on the green in 2013 across club, state, national and international levels was the catalyst for Wikie’s first Bowls Australia award. At state level, Brett was the Queensland state singles champion, triples runner-up and fours semi-finalist, while international highlights include best performed men’s team honours at the Welsh 4-Nations, and a silver medal in the pairs at the 8-Nations Commonwealth Games Invitational. Two of the sport’s rising junior stars were acknowledged for outstanding performances in 2013, with Tasmania’s Michael Sims capturing the Under-18 Male Bowler of the Year award, while fellow young rising star Chloe Stewart, from Victoria, took home the Under-18 Female equivalent. Victoria were also well represented in the administrator categories, capturing four of the five awards on offer. John Roberts was awarded the Official of the Year honour for his contribution to being an International Technical Official at national and international events, George Vayonitis earned the Volunteer of the Year gong for his tireless work as a Volunteer Team Leader at the Australian Open, Graeme Clements was rewarded for hisformer role as the Australian Blind Bowlers Association Coach with the Coach of the Year accolade, and Peter Nixon scooped the Community Development Officer of the Year award. ABC 730 Adelaide’s Michael Sexton earned consecutive Story of the Year honours, this time courtesy of an in-depth expose on young 19-year-old South Australian star Renee McPharlin from the Balaklava Bowling Club. Bowls Australia congratulates all the finalists and winners of the 2014 Awards Night. Background brief on award winners: Official of the Year Sponsored by Aspect Sportswear John Roberts (VIC) John’s outstanding commitment and passion for officiating at a club, state, national and international level has earned him recognition as the winner of the Aspect Sportswear Official of the Year award. Having provided his officiating expertise to the sport for more than a decade, John’s ability is universally acknowledged as being first-class. John has officiated at every Australian Open since 2004, reaching the milestone for ten successive events this year, while in 2013 he also officiated at the National Champion of …
