Mitchell Men’s Country Bowler of the Year
Bowls WA Awards Night – Men’s Country Bowler of the Year
The Men’s Country Bowler of the Year Award is known as the Vice Patron’s Medal. Unfortunately, the Bowls WA Vice Patron Norma Samuel couldn’t be at the Awards Night which left Bowls WA Country Director Ross Warburton to announce the winner.
In a sign of the strength and future of Country bowls the three finalist were all similar age around 30 years old and spread across the state in Shane Giudice-Nairn (Geraldton), Matthew France (Merredin) and Matthew Mitchell (Emu Point).
With Matthew Mitchell being announced the winner this meant both Male and Female winners of the Champion of Club Championship Singles winners also took home the Country Bowler of the Year Awards with Kathy Gobbart joining Matthew, a rare first in Western Australian Bowls.
A summary of all Bowls WA Award winners can be found via this link
Matthew Mitchell would be well known to many in the bowls community having started as junior in Albany along with his brother Tom. Both have represented WA and been regular in Premier League and major State Championships over several seasons.
Matthew had a sensational year skippering his Emu Point side to a win in the Country Week Fours and of course the previously mentioned Champion of Club Champion Singles title, the Mt Lawley Consistency Singles and a semi final appearance in the Country Week Singles his major achievements.
“Country Week is an amazing event, it really is, for that many people to come to the city and put the effort in, we love it.” Said Matthew reflecting on his Country Week achievements. Special mention was made of Matthew’s second in the fours being Doug Wright who won the 1981 Country Week pairs with a Kellerberrin teammate making it over 40 years between titles. Matthew explained that Doug who was a very good bowler back then got married and moved to Canada for many years before returning to WA in the early 2000s where he again took up bowls. Doug has been a big asset for Emu Point along with close teammate Jon Sharp who Matthew has also won Country Week Pairs with have taken Emu Point to Lower Great Southern Pennant success and rejuvenated the club. “I love Sharpy, he is great to play with, the blokes a freak.” Said Matthew of Jon and their success on the green.
Matthew along with his young family made the decision to head back to Albany three seasons ago and help run the family farm. This has meant a lot of travelling, commitment, and support to keep playing bowls at the highest level. Reflecting on the move back to his homeland Matthew said “I love it, it’s really good but it’s a serious lot of effort to come up to Perth to play these events. My family and especially Kate for the sacrifices that she puts in, I’m away from home a lot when I do come to Perth and for someone to hold the fort at home its pretty special. And to my dad, we have a farm at home and for someone to then take the fort and look after that as well, love you guys.”
Matthew’s win makes it his second in three seasons as the Men’s Country Bowler of the Year, a terrific achievement and just reward for his effort and commitment to the game.
