The sport of tenpin bowling and Hobart’s AMF Moonah Bowl are sharing the national spotlight this week. Record numbers of bowlers from States and Territories across Australia have registered to play in Tenpin Bowling Australia’s national championship for bowlers with a disability. Over a thousand entries have already been processed by tournament organisers, with many more bowlers due to arrive from interstate in the next 24 hours.
Tasmania’s Minister for Human Services & Community Development, the Hon Cassy O’Connor, officially opened the 7th TBA Australian Disability Tenpin Bowling Championships at 9am today. The Minister’s interest and enthusiastic support of the disabilities sector added an extra dimension of excitement to the colourful opening ceremony that included a march out of bowlers and Club officials, a rousing rendition of the National Anthem and an energetic hip-hop dance routine by local performers, the Phoenix Danze Group.
TBA Chairman, Jamie Taafe welcomed participants on behalf of the sport’s national governing body and acknowledged the significant support of TBA’s principal partner, the Australian Sports Commission. Jamie and his counterparts from TBA Tasmania were joined by Neil Harwood and Mary Bell from the Tasmanian division of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Federation, Lynne Clay, and senior officials from numerous organisations representing a broad spectrum of disability sectors at today’s Opening ceremony.
Television crews from both the ABC and Southern Cross TV interviewed Ms. O’Connor and participants and shot vision of bowling action on the lanes, with news segments scheduled State-wide and nationally this evening and over the weekend.
Queensland bowler, 30 year-old Shane Hurst from Mudgerabah was today’s star performer, shooting a 717 (246, 213, 258) three-game series in the last Singles squad this afternoon. Members of Queensland Scratch and Graded teams, Shane and twelve of his colleagues from Coolangatta/Tweed Tenpin have travelled to the Nationals keen to compete in the inaugural Open and Restricted Masters events that will be staged at the conclusion of this year’s championships.
Tenpin bowling is unique in that competitors vie for trophies and medals according to their averages or skill levels, and not to their disability. Few sports are as ideally suited to athletes with disabilities than tenpin bowling and its diversity sets it apart from other sports – it can be an individual or team sport for both males and females, regardless of physical limitations, and with no age, height or size discrimination.
The 7th TBA Australian Disability Tenpin Bowling Championships continue at AMF Moonah Bowl until Friday 29 June, and spectators are welcome. Interim results will be posted daily on Tenpin Bowling Australia’s website - www.tenpinevents.org.au.
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