General News
2 October, 2024
Wilson hungry for more after latest big title
INGLEWOOD lawn bowler Geoff Wilson has returned home with another national championship win under his belt – and hungry for more. Wilson was a part of the Victorian bowlers arm team – the Armed Vics – which won its 10th successive Australian...
INGLEWOOD lawn bowler Geoff Wilson has returned home with another national championship win under his belt – and hungry for more.
Wilson was a part of the Victorian bowlers arm team – the Armed Vics – which won its 10th successive Australian title at Maitland in New South Wales earlier this month.
Wilson has been in the team for the past five wins.
The competition allows participants to use a mechanical arm to deliver a bowl without having to bend, enabling those with restricted flexibility such as back problems to continue playing the sport.
“We’ve got people who have had accidents, impairments, injuries, hip replacements, knees … and a lot of them have played a lot of sport in the past,” Wilson said.
“Without the arm, I would not be able to play.”
He swapped to using the aid six or seven years ago when his hips prevented him from bowling normally.
“I’m 67 now, so hopefully I’ve still got a couple more years in me – if I’m young enough to keep driving a tractor, I’m young enough to keep bowling,” Wilson said.
He was one of four bowlers in the team from the north central part of the state, along with Rodney “Bluey” Fletcher from Cohuna, Joan Moss from Echuca and Peter Brain from Castlemaine.
Wilson said the interstate competition was becoming more challenging, with runners-up Queensland asking more questions of the all-conquering Victorians.
Next year’s titles will be played at Warrnambool, which is a good target for the Inglewood legend.
“I’ll be trying my hardest to be there,” Wilson said.
- GARY WALSH