Unity Collins
Te Awamutu’s Unity Collins, known for her success in tandem-cycling as part of the national para-cycling team, swimming and ukulele playing, won a ‘spirit of the game’ trophy at a national blind bowling tournament in Cambridge last week.
Unity Collins, pictured with her parents Yvonne and Ross, with the trophy she was awarded for exemplifying the spirit of the games.
The 30-year-old, who is a past Special Olympics medallist and Tough Guy and Gal Challenge veteran, only took up bowling in April. Her assistant, called a ‘director’ in the world of vision impaired bowling, is her mum Yvonne Collins.
“This was my first bowling tournament… I really enjoyed it,” she said.
The annual New Zealand Blind Lawn Bowls Association nationals was held in Cambridge for the first time, and other than a weather wobble for the pairs, was declared an outstanding success.
Kevin Smith, organiser last week’s New Zealand Blind Lawn Bowls Association nationals, with hosts Cambridge’s Central Bowling Club board members, Rod Sentch and Alison Winter. Photo: Viv Posselt
The event, held at Cambridge Central Bowling Club, saw 27 vision-challenged players – most with helpers known as ‘directors’ – take part.
Organiser Kevin Smith from Christchurch said he was grateful to the club for having pulled out all stops to support the tournament.
“This national competition brings together a very special community of players who gather for camaraderie and competition. Two of our players here this year have a real chance of going to the next Commonwealth Games,” he said. “Members of Cambridge Central have gone above and beyond to support this group… transport, catering, helping with players. We are very grateful to them.”
Joseph Kim and his director Shelley James came down from Auckland.
Dunedin’s Kerrin Wheeler, left, and his dad/director Colin, at the tournament.
Smith, who has had a successful bowls career of his own for five decades, has been teaching vision impaired/blind bowlers for 16 years. He has won several ‘coach of the year’ titles in recognition of the work he put into championing blind bowls alongside his career as a nurse in the mental health sector.
As last week’s tournament wrapped up in Cambridge, he officially retired from his job in mental health after 53 years.
Dunedin’s Sonya Woodrow and her director, Kimberley Carraher.
Nelson’s Steve Delaney at the event.
Hamilton’s Sue Curran, who has notched up a few records in her time, turned 79 at the Cambridge nationals.
Cambridge Central club board members Rod Sentch and Alison Winter told The News the event had been a year in the planning, and members had stepped up to help in whatever way they could.
“We welcomed the opportunity to support these players … they have been inspirational,” Sentch said.
The event had some great moments. Three birthdays were celebrated, among them Sue Curran, who turned 79. The Hamilton-based athlete became New Zealand’s then oldest Commonwealth Games athlete in Birmingham in 2022 – Kevin Smith was there at the time. Curran has also won at several previous Commonwealth Games events.
Te Awamutu’s Unity Collins, well-known for her success in tandem-cycling as part of the national para-cycling team, swimming and ukulele playing – is new to lawn bowls and was in Cambridge for her first tournament. She is also a past Special Olympics medallist and Tough Guy and Gal Challenge veteran, and won a trophy last week for demonstrating the true spirit of the games.
Tournament winners are as follows:
Singles:
B1: 1st – Sonya Woodrow (Director Kimberley Carraher); 2nd – Glen Putz – (Director Rhonda MCIntyre); 3rd – Arun Kasim (Director Maragret Stannard).
B2: 1st – Joseph Kim (Director Shelley James & Robyn Hames); 2nd – Gordon Oldfield (Director Royden James); 3rd – Gerald Brouwers (Director Graham Ball).
B3: 1st – Kerrin Wheeler (Director Colin Wheeler); 2nd – George Neville (Director Christine Foster); 3rd – Sue Curran (Director Margaret Davies).
B4: 1st – Steve Delaney – No Director; 2nd – Louis Cooper (Director Helene Cooper); 3rd – James Dunn – No Director.
Pairs: 1st – Steve Delaney & Joseph Kim (Director Robyn Hames); 2nd – Alexandra Bishop (Director Bronwyn Milne) & Sally Marston (Director Liz Gibson); 3rd – Sonya Woodrow (Director Kimberley Carraher) & Kerrin Wheeler (Director Colin Wheeler).
Cambridge resident Alan Farrant was at his first big event – he started bowling about a year ago. Photo: Viv Posselt
Te Awamutu superstar athlete Unity Collins has added lawn bowls to her impressive resume in paracycling and swimming.
