FIFTEEN athletes from North West New England headed to Shoalhaven last Friday for the State Special Olympics competition.
Fourteen of them were competing in the ten-pin bowling competition and Max Wayte was involved in football skills on the Saturday and competition on the Sunday with six a side football.
After a long day on the bus travelling athletes got to Nowra just in time to drop Josh Smith and Davie Currie off to participate in the torch run. The rest of the team headed off to the opening ceremony and to await the runners as they came through the streets of Nowra with the police escorting them.
On the Saturday the team competed in ten-pin bowling while Max worked on his football skills.
On Sunday athletes took the opportunity to do some shopping and sightseeing in the surrounding areas and even got a chance to put their feet into the ocean. One of the highlights was Romanye swapping her wheelchair for one that is specifically made for the beach. She loved the opportunity to get onto the beach with everyone else.
Lastly the athletes headed back to the ten-pin centre for the medal presentation, while others went to support Max whose team had made it into the grand final. It was with great delight we saw the team take out the gold medal.
A special mention must be made to Romanye Grace and Stephanie Rowe, who won gold medals in their divisions at the bowling.
“It was great to take this team away,” said volunteer Kristy Brunsdon.
“They always appreciate the chance to do something different and a huge thanks must go to the committee, volunteers and carers who made it possible and accompanied the athletes on this trip.”
Results for all the bowlers, their divisions they bowled in and their score after three games.
Women
Romanye Grace – Ramps Division 1 – Score 276 – 1st place; Virginia Bligh – Division 6 – Score 328 – 2nd place; Deborah McMahon – Division 6 – Score 255 – 4th place; Diane Bell – Division 9 – Score 231 – 3rd place; Stephanie Rowe – Division 10 – Score 286 – 1st place.Men
David Currie – Division 15 – Score 435 – 2nd place; Peter Wright – Division 15 – Score 346 – 6th place; Will Brunsdon – Division 18 – Score 376 – 2nd place; Greg Blanch – Division 18 – Score 345 – 3rd place; Jason Timperley – Division 18 – Score 296 – 5th place; Raymond Enks – Division 19 – Score 298 – 3rd place; Joshua Smith – Division 22 – Score 297 – 2nd place; Ian Walker – Division 23 – Score 237 – 3rd place; Konrad Bock – Division 23 – Score 210 – 4th place.
