Come and try ... bowling at Murray Bridge RSL
Perrin Kuchel and Brenton Sinclair invite you to come and try lawn bowls.
“Come and Try” aims to promote fitness and wellbeing in the Murraylands – and it could promote your business, too. Murray Bridge News is seeking an ongoing sponsor for this fortnightly feature. Call Peri on 0419 827 124 or email peri@murraybridge.news.
Yes, lawn bowlers tend to be older than your average athlete, but Brenton Sinclair wants to get one thing straight: this is a sport for anyone.
Around the Lower Murray competition are bowlers in their teens and 20s, bowlers with diverse levels of physical and mental ability, men and women.
Yes, there are bowlers who can boast an impressive amount of experience, too – take Allan Arbon, who has done it for more than 50 years, or Elliot Staiff, 99 years of age.
But everyone can play the game, Brenton says.
“I thought it’d just be playing with older people,” he says.
“But I’m probably middle-of-the-road.
“It’s a great sport – so inclusive.”
The pennants season is winding up at this time of year.
But, as Brenton says, it’s never too early to think about giving bowls a go.
When did you first start playing bowls?
Brenton: I started playing night owls in 2012 and started here (at the RSL) playing pennant bowls in 2020.
Perrin: I’ve been bowling probably 15 years. I’ve been here for seven. I started at night owls (at Murray Bridge Bowling Club), but we live on this side of the river.
Brenton: This is probably the most attractive, modern bowling club in the region.
What do you get out of it?
Brenton: Winning or losing, it’s fun. You play against yourself and try and improve, but you’re also in a team. So many factors change it: wind, temperature, the different greens you play on ... I find it’s a sport that continually challenges you.
Perrin: I like playing it because it’s a mixed-gender sport. My wife plays. We met playing tennis 42 years ago, we’ve played golf, we play bowls – it’s something we can do as a couple.
What has been the greatest achievement of your bowling career so far?
Perrin: I won the association fours with three teammates. We made the final of the association pairs this year, and the fours again. (Murray Bridge RSL) is only a little club, which gives you more of a chance to win.
Brenton: I’ve won the singles at night owls.
How has your season gone?
Brenton: Miserable.
Perrin: We haven’t made the finals in division two.
Brenton: It’s a good base to build on. But we’ve just come second to bottom.
What do you hope to achieve as a bowler?
Perrin: I’m just happy to be here and involved in a good club.
Brenton: I’m trying to cement my position in division two and perhaps skipper a team, or move into division one. They’re my targets. Because it’s a smaller club, I’ve got the breadth to be able do that.
Why should people come and try bowls?
Perrin: Because of the environment. It’s a good social club. We make everyone welcome.
Brenton: It’s a lot more exciting than people think. We had some kids here last Saturday for a 21st birthday and they were all having a ball ... In the association there’s a 15-year-old playing, 20-year-olds, people with physical and mental disabilities – everybody can play.
More information: Call Noel Kneebone on 0419 858 876 or find Murray Bridge RSL Bowling Club on Facebook.
“Come and Try” aims to promote fitness and wellbeing in the Murraylands – and it could promote your business, too. Murray Bridge News is seeking an ongoing sponsor for this fortnightly feature. Call Peri on 0419 827 124 or email peri@murraybridge.news.