The Forum's Alright Jack
LAST Saturday saw Billingham Forum Bowls Club bowled over by a skilled and determined Cerebral Palsy (C.P.) Sports Bowling team.
Eight of the 240 C.P. Bowling members paid a visit to the Forum to participate in an annual indoor bowls tournament which had been originally set up to raise funds for Park End-based member Michael Martin. They enjoyed it so much last time it’s now on their events calendar.
The C.P. team members played against the able-bodied Billingham Forum team with the contest producing some superb bowls. The teams were divided into two squads of four, each competing on separate ‘rinks’.
Results were in favour of the C.P. team, who won both rinks. A closely fought 12-10 victory for the first C.P. quartet was outdone by an emphatic 17-10 result for the second C.P. four on rink two.
The diverse national C.P. team is made up of both men and women, aged from 40 to 80 years old.
Sadly there are no junior members but Michael Martin hopes that this will change and actively encourages all ages and disabilities to participate.
Michael said: “Bowls is an ideal sport as it allows us to compete in an enjoyable game that requires both skill and tactics.
“Also, the Billingham Forum green is superbly maintained and the whole facility is accessible for those of us with wheelchairs.
“Our members enjoy the social aspect too and I would encourage everyone to participate in sport of some kind because it’s beneficial on so many levels.” For more information on indoor bowls, please contact Billingham Forum on (01642) 551 381 and Thornaby Pavilion on (01642) 760 971.