Blind Bowls NSW/ACT held their annual State Championships at Gosford City Bowling Club under perfect blue skies.
Twenty-two bowlers from all across NSW came with their directors to play-off in their individual sight categories.
The Central Coast featured in quite a few winning teams.
John Carr with director David Cameron from Gosford City Bowling Club combined with Jim Grech and Robert Heinginger from Gloucester Bowling Club to win the gold in the B1 pairs.
In the B2 singles, Scott Jones and director Ian Evans from the Everglades Bowling Club won gold.
In the B2 pairs Violeta Lucas with director Heather McColl and William Ng with director Bill Gardner all from Gosford Bowling Club won gold.
The rookie shield was presented to Deborah Moxon from Gosford City Bowling Club.
The NSW/ACT championships have been running for 47 years and this is the biggest group participating in recent times.
Vision impaired bowlers can be classified as either B1, B2, B3 or B4 (B1 category being no vision).
The directors become the seeing support person for each bowler, and they give them instructions on where to aim the bowl and information about where their bowl has landed in relation to the jack.
Teamwork in this game is imperative, and the bond between each player and the director is crucial in enabling a successful tournament.
“There were many great battles throughout the tournament where games were decided by a single point or a count back,” a spokesperson for the club said.
“One thing is for sure – there were many bowlers who went home feeling great about their performance on the weekend.
“New friendships were forged and old ones rekindled and they’re all looking forward to next year’s championships.”
The club hopes to continue for many years into the future, despite Central Coast Council’s plan for the site.
Council has earmarked the land for a “higher use” as part of its activation of the Gosford waterfront and a masterplan for the area.
But bowlers say an activated city will need its community spaces such as the bowling club.
Vision impaired bowling makes lawn bowls accessible to people of all ages and abilities with vision loss.
The benefits are both social and physical and the game enhances the lives of all those who participate.
“If you know someone who has been a bowler that has stopped playing after losing their sight or someone who is vision impaired, come and see us at Gosford City Bowling Club,” the spokesperson said.
Contact Heather on 0423 626 423 to find out about joining.
A full list of State champions is on Gosford Bowling Club’s Facebook page.