Blind bowls
23 November 2011
Blind and partially sighted bowlers from across the country will come together next week for the national champs.
The event is being held in Browns Bay, Auckland from 28 November - 2 December. The bowlers range in age from their 20s through to their 90s, with four divisions of varying visual impairment.
RNZFB member, Greg Johnson is the vice-president of the New Zealand Lawn Bowling Association, and has been blind for four years. This event will be his third nationals: "It is a week I look forward to every year. It is really competitive on the green and also very social afterwards. It is great catching up with friends from around the country".
Image: Greg Johnson playing bowls.
Blind and partially sighted competitors have a sighted coach or director who acts as the eyes and source of information on the green. They help align the players and provide feedback on the entire game. Distance markers also make it easy to work out how far to bowl down the green and sometimes a centre string is allowed for those bowlers who have limited vision. Blind and partially sighted bowlers use the same bowls as sighted players and operate under the same rules of the game.
Greg loves the challenge lawn bowls offers. "It demands high concentration for long periods of time and is one of the toughest blind sports I have participated in. Imagine concentrating for up to six hours a day with high intensity taking in all sorts of info from your coach as well as being on your feet for all that time!"
It is also mentally tough and can be physically demanding. "It's a sport that can be played with and against the sighted community at the highest levels," he says.
Blind lawn bowling is fast growing in popularity. It was first introduced at an international level in South Africa in 1977 and there now 12 member countries, with some 5000 players, making it the largest outdoor activity for the blind worldwide.
Spectators are welcome at the event.
How to get involved
Contact the New Zealand Blind Lawn Bowling Association in the first instance and one of its national zones will get in touch and get you along to an event.
Visit the website www.sportsground.co.nz/nzblba, email nzblba@gmail.com or call Greg Johnson on 021 527 144.
And a final word from Greg...
"I would like to quash the stereotype that lawn bowls is an old persons sport. We have bowlers who are in their twenties, right up to their nineties. I challenge anyone out there to give it a go before you pass judgment. There are good cross overs between lawn bowls, bowling in blind cricket, throwing a goalball or even tenpin and indoor bowls. You can participate socially or try and win national titles, or even represent New Zealand at world championships. We offer something for everyone, no matter what age or ability."