WA’s First Bowling Arm Representative Side in Moama
After twelve months of planning, training, and development the new WA Representative Bowling Arm Side – named the “Sandgropers” – showed up in Moama NSW to compete in the 2017 Australian Bowling Arm Challenge in September. 17 players including 2 reserves travelled by plane, car (one blew up on the Nullarbor!) and motor home to attend this event for the first time.
Phil Gude, State Coordinator for the Victorian Side, met the players and supporters that flew in to the airport and welcomed WA to the competition. The 2017 Arm Challenge was run by Bowls Victoria and the group did a tremendous job with Graham Bridge, CEO, as Manager.
The WA Sandgropers, managed by Laurie Blurton of Bunbury, ably co-managed by Judy Stein of Mundaring, and supported by Denise McMillan at Bowls WA should be very proud of their achievements in representing WA – the calibre of performance both on and off the green was exemplary. One day started at 9 am and ended at 10 pm – and players were still smiling albeit a little tired!
The National Title was won by Victoria whom has managed to keep the Title since the Challenge was created in 2013. Victoria is a very organized and well managed team who are selected by invitation.
It was a credit to WA players that the tournament was played on carpet surface – the more they played the better they got! One skipper over five games had a win and four draws! In another Singles section against South Australia, WA won all games with shots up 97 to 87.
The 2018 Challenge will be held in NSW at East Maitland Bowling Club and Sandgropers are already preparing for the event. A pressing decision to be made in the coming months is “Will WA host the 2020 National Bowling Arm Challenge?” Keep your eyes and ears open for further news in this area!
A huge thank-you to this year’s WA Bowling Arm Sponsors Neometal whose funding purchased uniforms for this inaugural team.
WA 2017 Representative Bowling Arm Side:
Richard Young, HALLS HEAD
Mil Borcic, BINNINGUP
Kerry Ward, EATON
Kim Ward, BINNINGUP
Don Batt, BUNBURY
Grayce Mawhinney, BUNBURY
John Thomson, KWINANA
Der Overhue, MEADOW SPRINGS
Trevor Rodda, BUNBURY
Ted Bowman, HALLS HEAD
Laurie Blurton, BUNBURY
Stan Mawhinney, BUNBURY
Bill Davies, FORRESTFIELD
John Lewis, GERALDTON
Ray Barstow, EATON
RESERVES:
Judy Stein, MUNDARING
Eric Stein, MUNDARING
NOTE: Due to unfortunate circumstances two weeks before the Challenge, Barry Truman from Bunbury had to withdraw from the Side; Eric Stein from Mundaring was then added to the Reserves.
With 2017 completed we are now building the Bowling Arm Side for 2018 – next year’s event will be played in East Maitland NSW between September 10th and 13th. WA has catching up to do and Expressions Of Interest are sought for those who are looking to participate.
Attached are two documents for downloading:
Expression of Interest Flyer – please share the word and ensure it is posted at your club
Expression of Interest Submission – please fill in and send to Laurie Blurton, Arm Side Coordinator
2.1 – Word Document – download and save to your computer
2.2 – Adobe Document – print and fill in the document manually
Laurie Blurton, as WA’s Bowling Arm Side Coordinator, is your first point of contact on 0427 097 935 or blurts@bigpond.com. Denise McMillan, Bowls WA Inclusion & High Performance Officer, may also provde guidance and can be reached on 0449 619 841 or denise@bowlswa.com.au.
