Disability Sport Fife bowlers and volunteers enjoyed yet another brilliant Fife Indoor Bowls Championships at East Fife Indoor Bowling Club Methil, courtesy of club committee members. The warmth of welcome was as always outstanding and greatly appreciated by all participants, spectators and support staff. DSF and East Fife Indoor have enjoyed a very special relationship for over 25 years and successive generations of Fife bowlers with additional support needs consider this event one of the most important in the DSF annual calendar.
The event began at 10 30 with a tribute to local hero Craig Bernard who as recently as last year reached the final of the championships B section. Craig died earlier in the year and many of those participating had attended his memorable funeral. Craig loved the Fife Indoor Championships and considered them his home event. Participants were invited to think about Craig at some point in the day and thank him for his friendship and good humour. Craig touched the hearts of many and within the bowling community in particular.
Throughout the day there were many exciting ties and all were overseen by the very committed volunteer markers from local bowling clubs. Officials were as always coordinated by Math Thomson from the Beveridge Park BC who was only able to spend a very short time at the event this year because of a hospital appointment. Thank you deputy Bill Bruce for standing in on the day and ensuring everything ran smoothly. These brilliant volunteers worked non stop from 10 30 till 15 00 and stayed behind for the presentations. Four and half hours of constant officiating with a short break for lunch. Brilliant ladies and gents.
Darryl Stewart from Cowdenbeath BC retained the men’s open title with a win over Crag Donaldson from Central Fife CSS, the reigning Fife outdoor champion. Lloyd Simpson and Steven Anderson from Dovecot BC were presented with joint third place trophies.
The equivalent ladies open title was contested by Pamela Mitchell from Headwell B.C and Wendy Thomson from St Andrews BC and East Fife CSS. Pamela was first introduced to the Fife bowls programme in the early 80s by Alex McLean at Rosyth ATC and she is playing better bowls in 2019 than ever before. Pamela was a convincing winner and will head to Aberdeen on Saturday in search of another SDS outdoor national title. Both Pamela and Wendy are past Scottish champions. Julie Allan from Windygates Bowling Club and East Fife Indoor Bowling Club was awarded a third place trophy.
Kevin Mustard from Central Fife CSS won the men’s section B title by defeating Phillip Callander from West Fife CSS and Headwell BC in the final. Mathew Blissett from Dovecot BC won a trophy for third place.
Newcomer Charlie Porter from East Fife CSS won the men’s C1 section with Robert Morrison from Headwell BC finishing runner up. Wayne Moreland from Windygates BC and East Fife CSS won the men’s C2 section with newcomer Aaron Kean from Headwell BC finishing runner up.
Tribute was paid to Headwell BC, Dovecot Park Bowling Club, Windygates BC,Beveridge Park Bowling Club, Lumphinnans Bowling Club, East Fife Indoor andAbbeyview Bowling Club that continue throughout the year to encourage and include bowlers with disabilities to train and play in inclusive environments. A feature of this years’s championships was the number of new players who registered and progressing to the final stages of their sections. DSF is very proud of its links with inclusive bowling clubs and the role played by GOGA in Fife, supported by Spirit of 2012 over the past 30 months.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees