Springwood Bowling Club has been hosting a group of Winmalee High School students for their selected sport each Wednesday and doing their best to break down not just the age barrier.
“They are just beginning their bowls’ experience and if any wish to continue to learn the game, then over time with commitment and skill development there may well be a champion from Winmalee,” club spokesman Bob Hahn said.
Student Joel Muddle has the rare genetic disease Ataxia-Telangiectasia but is able to get around the bowling green in his wheelchair.
“This experience allows him to enjoy inclusiveness within a sport that his able bodied friends find easy,” Mr Hahn said.
“He is being mentored by a very special bowler, Phillip Plackett who is the current NSW and Australia Open Multi Disability Pairs Champion and has recently been nominated by Bowls NSW for the 2017 Disability Bowler of the Year Award.” he added
Mr Plackett volunteered to come from his Penrith home each Wednesday to support Joel.
“Kurt Fearnley, a household name in Australia for his outstanding achievements as a disability wheel chair athlete, recently called for Australia to embrace inclusion of all people with disabilities,” said Mr Hahn.
“Phillip joins him in his call and his offer to mentor Joel is an example of his generosity of spirit and time, as well as providing a wonderful example of how these barriers can be removed.”
Springwood Bowling Club hopes to establish a junior squad in the near future. For more details contact club secretary Bob Harris on 0418 292 820.
