2023: The Year in Review
The VI side picked up a silver medal at the World Bowls Championships.
By: Bowls South Africa COO Bobby Donnelly
Looking back on the past year, it is fair to say that Bowls South Africa has broadened its horizons in so many fields involving the joint efforts from the various Standing Committees. I salute these members, who voluntarily give up their time and expertise to broaden the footprint of BSA and market our sport.
The President and Executive members of BSA, District Committees, Coaches Standing Committee, Green-keepers Standing Committee, Technical Officials Standing Committee, Academy, National Selectors, Membership, Marketing and Tournament Committees all work tirelessly to serve this great game. A huge thank you to all the volunteers, whatever role, who unselfishly give up their time to serve.
Thank you to Barton Insurance Brokers (Perfect Delivery) and Personal Trust whose continued partnership with BSA is valued and appreciated.
2023 has indeed been a watershed year. The Masters, held in Cape Town for the first time since 1998 showcased the benefits of transformation and development. Young Khowani (Kwa) Khanyile played the shot of the year to win the Junior Masters Event against Cecil Bornman. Kwa will now be promoted to the Open Men’s event in 2024. Two newly capped Proteas, Marizelle Rousseau and Fran Baleri, competed in a high-class Junior Ladies final with Marizelle winning the Gold, which means she too will be taking part in the Open Masters in 2024.
Kholwani Khanyile won the U30 SA Masters Junior Singles title in Cape Town.
Mathews Phiri narrowly lost the Open Men’s final against current Protea Niksa Benguric on a tie break, while similarly the Open Ladies event was won by Johlene Bronkhorst against Protea Anneke Snyman
The U30 Inter District Tournament, was hosted by North West Bowls and played at Klerksdorp Bowling Club. A kaleidoscope of bright coloured clothing and bowls worn by participants added an extra dimension to the tournament. Accompanied by background music, the mood created a carnival type ambiance, something which the player’s thoroughly enjoyed.
The high fives, praise, words of encouragement, enthusiasm and camaraderie evident on the three well maintained greens was refreshing.
Charles Peter Mathewson skipped his Northern Cape Bowls side to gold in the U30 Inter Districts Tournament.
On the other end of the age scale bowls certainly showcased why it is a sport for all.
Two Veterans of the game Gerry Baker and Mark Hensberg competed in the SA Mixed Pairs Final. Gerry, who was accompanied by rising star Hailey Erasmus narrowly defeated Mark and his partner Patricia Tiltman. The bronze medallists saw U30 players again rising to the occasion with Ernst Wagner and his partner Panashe Ziramba joining Charles Peter Mathewson, who was partnered by his mother Annelise, on the podium.
Hailey Erasmus and Gerry Baker (JBA) claimed the Gold Medal at the SA Mixed Pairs Championship.
The SA Open again saw a number of younger players making their mark in the game. In the Open Ladies Fours, Jax Van Rensburg skipped a trio of talented young players to the gold. Emma Murphy, Fran Baleri and Shannon Davies impressed many with their new age approach and positive attitude towards the sport.
The young side led by Jax van Rensburg won the Open Ladies Fours.
Again there was a case for showing that age is not a factor as veterans Heather Pembroke and Esme Haley added another item to their trophy cabinets by winning the Pairs. Charlotte Rossouw found her form at the right time in defeating BSA Veterans skip Sue Tarr to win the Singles.
The Men’s National Open saw a rain interrupted event held in Port Natal. SA’s premier bowler Jason Evans played four games on the final day commencing at 08:00. Mental fatigue played its part as Jason had to settle for silver in the Pairs and Singles.
The Open Singles Gold Medallist, Paul White, is another young gun making his mark in the game as he beat three Proteas in a row to win the coveted title. The Pairs final was played in dusk. Evans and his partner John Ingram built up a comfortable lead, but the experience of Gerry Baker and current Protea Brad Robinson saw them claw their way back to take home the gold.
Paul White went on a dream run to win the SA Men’s Open Singles gold medal.
The Fours final was a comprehensive win for newly capped Protea Wayne Roberts and his side which consisted of Doug Basford, Roger Boulle and Nick Horne. They defeated Niksa Benguric, Dylan Mitchell, Pieter Fourie and Stevan Scott
On the International front there were a number of debutants wearing the Proteas colours in 2023.
Niksa Benguric, John Molupi and Wayne Roberts all made their debut on the men’s side. They were joined by CP Mathewson and Victor Siphali at the African States Tournament (AST) held in Windhoek. The Proteas claimed gold in the men’s singles with Wayne Roberts showing his class by going through the tournament undefeated.
The men’s trips and the fours performed exceptionally well by claiming gold medals. The pairs combination of Victor Siphali and John Molupi settled for a bronze.
Fran Baleri, Marizelle Rousseau and Panashe Ziramba were all awarded Protea colours to compete in the AST. Jax Van Rensburg and Dezi Rosenblatt joined the three young debutants and, like their male counterparts, had a successful tournament. The ladies claimed the silver in the singles (Baleri) and pairs (Rousseau and Baleri) with Ladies trips and fours settling for bronze.
Both South African men and ladies were overall winners.
Wayne Roberts went through the AST unbeaten winning three Gold Medals: Singles, Trips and Overall winners.
The World Championships held at the Gold Coast (Australia) saw a mixture of young and experienced players included in the side. The Men’s side was represented by Jason Evans, Niksa Benguric, Victor Siphali, Bradley Robinson, Wayne Rittmuller. The Ladies side at the World Championships comprised of Anneke Snyman, Esme Kruger, Fran Baleri, Thabelo Muvhango and Colleen Piketh.
The side was well prepared after enjoying a stint at the Gold Coast in April where they partook in a Multi Nations Event.
The World Bowls side did not do as well as expected, however after all the post mortems a pool of players have emerged with high aspirations. A number of young players were given the opportunity at the highest level on foreign surfaces. This will hold them in good stead going forward.
South Africa were well represented in the disability World Championships. The Mens (B6-B8) combination of Gareth Rees- Gibbs and Deon van der Vyver did admirably while the VI (B2-B3) pair consisting of Herman Scholtz (Director Geoff Newcombe) and May Homer (Director Paul Homer) returned with a silver medal around their necks.
Team South Africa on the Gold Coast.
A Veterans side was selected to compete in the Atlantic Senior Fours Tournament at the beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus. The Men’s side were represented by Kenny Kyriacou, John Connellan, Gianni Gatti and Francios Koen. The Men reached the final after winning 14 out of 15 round robin games.
”The Men's title decider was an intriguing game of two halves. South Africa led the first half exchanges, leading 9-3 after nine ends, but a resurgence saw England scoring on five of the remaining six.In a nail-biting conclusion, both sides were locked on 11-11 playing the last - with the advantage changing frequently. However, lady luck deserted the South Africans with the closing bowls - as they rocked England holding shot no less than three times but failed to get that vital match winner, ending up with a silver.”
The Ladies Veterans side consisting of Sue Tarr, Pam Cole Cook, Nan Roos and Glenda Mathews also had a memorable tournament, comfortably reaching the semi- final.
“In the semi-final England looked comfortable at 10-4 up with five ends to play against title favourites Glenda Matthews, Nan Roos, Pam Cole-Cook and Sue Tarr, but the South Africans dug deep and scored on the last five ends to level at 10-10 and force an extra end. The South Africans looked to be heading to the final but a perfect strike from England skip Caroline Cullum ran the jack to the ditch, while Tarr's last bowl marginally missed the count, falling into the ditch and leaving England to take their place in the final. South Africa ended with a bronze”
The Veterans brought home two medals.
Khowani (Kwa) Khanyile and Emma Murphy represented SA U25 at the IIBC World Championships in Scotland. This was a great experience and learning curve for both players.
Playing in a foreign country and foreign surface for the first time, and competing in an International Indoor Event brought out the best in both players. They made the quarter finals in the mixed pairs but fell short of qualifying for the playoffs in the singles. The experience gained will prove invaluable for their careers.
Kwa and Emma in the foreign conditions.
Two Protea players Jax van Rensburg and Dezi Rosenblatt received plaudits from the Hong Kong Bowls community as well as COO of World Bowls Neil Dalrymple, applauding their bubbly personalities on and off the green at the Hong Kong Classic International Bowls Event.
The popular pair did extremely well narrowly losing their semi final, to come home with a bronze.
Jax van Rensburg and Dezi Rosenblatt won bronze in Hong Kong.
As part of the buddy system introduced by World Bowls, where South Africa will help neighbouring countries and further advance into Africa, South African Standing Committees (Coaches and Technical Officials) completed courses in Namibia. Huge appreciation to Jenny Griffiths and Billy Rowan (NSCC) and Jeanette Williams and Dirk Malomgre (NSCTO) for your time and effort in organising these well attended courses.
Coaching course in Namibia.
Mark Cowan from Australia conducted an International Umpires Course in South Africa. The following umpires were successful in ITO accreditation assessments conducted by World Bowls in June/July 2023: Jeanette Williams, Francois Schulte, Nico Nell, Howard Gibbons, Lynton Harrison, Dirk Malomgre. Congratulations to all.
The NSCTO and NSCC epitomise the willingness of many of our bowlers to serve. If every registered member is willing to give something back to the game, whether it being a registered marker, technical official, coach, green keeper, or just being a good club member who initiates and organises days which will bring more bowlers into the game, then you have served the game well. It is very easy to sit back and criticise. Join the very same establishment that you do not agree with and become part of the solution by offering positive innovations to popularise our community image.
Off the green, we recently began our work on modernising our communications with bowlers and fans of the game. We hope you are navigating the new website well and enjoying the changes. It remains a work in progress, so keep checking in to see what new elements we are adding. Part of this new strategy is asking districts to appoint media liaisons so that nothing is missed in the many districts around the country. Another change, which you will see in action is adding news updates and photos as the events happen so that you never miss any of the action.
Finally after completing my first year as COO, I wish to extend my appreciation to all stake holders in the game of bowls for the enduring guidance and support throughout the year.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller
Have a Blessed Christmas and new year filled with good health, prosperity and happiness.
