Bowls WA honours best at awards

"While bowls is one of the most popular, and in many cases the most competitive sport played by hundreds of thousands of people of all ages throughout Australia, bowls is far more than just a sport," Ms Davies said.

  • Nearly 16,000 members of all ages belong to 207 bowling clubs across WA

  • Best bowls players from across the State honoured at awards 

Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies has congratulated the best of the bowls community during the annual Bowls WA Awards.  

"While bowls is one of the most popular, and in many cases the most competitive sport played by hundreds of thousands of people of all ages throughout Australia, bowls is far more than just a sport," Ms Davies said.

"To so many who take part, from within our largest cities to our most remote country regions, bowls is a way of life; a means of socialising and community building.

"There's no more valuable asset to a community than having people from a very young age through to the elderly being together enjoying competitive and social play, side by side."

The evening awards featured the induction into the Bowls WA Hall of Fame of two Western Australian champion bowlers, Lee Poletti and Graeme Wishart.

Bowler of the Year Awards for an outstanding season went to Noelene Abe of Corrigin, who received the Connie Hicks Brooch; and the Rosenthal Medal went to Tom Mitchell from Manning.

Other award winners were Robert Gibbons of the Gosnells Bowling Club (Volunteer of the Year); Ken Perks from the Morley Bowling Club (Coach of the Year); Tammin and Albany (Small Country Club and Country Club of the Year) and their metropolitan counterparts in Mundaring and Sorrento.

"Across the State, there are nearly 16,000 members of all ages who belong to 207 bowling clubs, all enjoying a sport which is keeping them active and connected," Ms Davies said.

Bowls receives $150,000 annually in Organisational Sustainability Program funding from the Liberal National Government through the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Since 2008, bowling clubs across WA have received more than $14 million in facilities funding through the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund. 

Fact File

Minister's office - 6552 5500