Dual Women’s Country Bowlers of the Year
Bowls WA Awards Night – Penny Needham Brooch For the second consecutive year there are two players who have tied for the Penny Needham Brooch as the best female country players this season.
Northam’s Jenny Parker and Geraldton’s Jill Adam were unable to be separated and were announced as joint winners at the Bowls WA Awards Night at Crown Casino.
Parker made her mark at Country Week when she became Northam’s first female player to win an event in 61 years.
Despite winning the Country Week Singles she said she wasn’t expecting the Penny Needham Brooch as well.
“These are always a surprise when these things come along,” she said.
Parker had a strong year and her Country Week title wasn’t the only highlight.
“We’ve had a good year,” Parker said. “We had Country Week where I won the singles and I was also part of our zone team which won the Zone Fours for the first time in forever so that was pretty exciting as well.”
Adam won the Country Week Pairs for the second time in three years with fellow Penny Needham finalist Lee Poletti. She also made the semi-final of the Women’s State Triples with Margaret Johnson and Robin Higgins.
Adam cited Geraldton team mates and past Penny Needham Brooch winners Lee Poletti and Norma Follington as big influencers in her career.
“In the Geraldton Bowling Club we have some fantastic bowlers, one in Lee Poletti and the other great lady in our club is Norma Follington,” she said. “From the day I walked into the club these ladies took me under their wing.”
Adam was thrilled but surprised to win the award.
“I have heard lots about this Penny Needham country brooch,” she said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be up here winning this and I have so I’m really happy.”
The last two seasons are the only times in the award’s 39 year history that the brooch has been awarded to two players.
To see a video presentation of the Penny Needham Brooch Click Here
