With a $250,000 prize pool on offer the Australian Open is the world’s most lucrative bowls tournament and success at the event, particularly in the blue ribbon singles competitions for men and women, guarantees the winners a place in bowls immortality.
Not sure whether this was a motivating factor or not, but earlier this year, in a magazine interview, when Kenya’s rising star Mirrie Ndungu mentioned her dream of competing at the Open on Queensland’s Gold Coast, she could not have anticipated the fallout.
Mirrie’s casual comment kick-started a chain of magnificent gestures from government and bowls officials, the bowls industry and many of the sport’s biggest names, plus a bunch of great Gold Coast bowlers who selflessly ensured the talented 34-year-old realised her dream.
It is inspirational stuff and reaffirms the belief that the bowls fraternity can always be counted on for its kindness and generous spirit.
Read about Mirrie’s remarkable Australian odyssey in this month’s edition of Inside Bowls, our official magazine. Click here https://www.insidebowlsmag.com/aug16/index.html?r=72 – the story commences on Page 34.
Photo: Mirrie Ndungu from Kenya with renowned international bowls coach Robbie Dobbins during her visit to Australia.