Tara Murray
Werribee bowlers are playing a waiting game ahead of the Bowls Victoria pennant season.
Bowls Victoria has scheduled the season to kick off on November 7, but that is dependent on restrictions being lifted enough to allow for games to go ahead.
Werribee Bowls’ Steve Weston said it had been tough for the bowlers not being able to hit the green.
“As soon as all this is over, the first thing we will do is to get back together doing what we do best and that is – playing bowls and celebrating the fact that once again we can put real meaning into the current topical words “we are all in this together”.
“The club and its members are so keen to get back out there and enjoy this camaraderie we have at the club, that is why we are one of the successful bowls clubs in the west.
“The game involves social interaction, relative closeness during games and provides an important opportunity for those, among our senior members who live alone, to enjoy the sense of community it and the club provides.
“Only through the volunteer spirit that has got the club to the stage of being within two years of its centenary will its future be secure.”
Weston said they had about 100 bowlers wanting to play in the upcoming Saturday pennant competition.
The Bees will have six sides, with their top side playing in division 1.
Weston said most of the playing group from last season had returned.
This season there will only be eight teams in each section, with less travel than previously.
In the draft fixture, Werribee’s opposition is Sunbury, Moonee Valley, Bacchus Marsh, Werribee, Aberfeldie CBC, Flemington-Kensington, Glenroy and Altona Sports.
Weston said they were expecting a really competitive section.
“There’s not as much travel as last season,” he said.
“All the sides in our division with the exception of Bacchus Marsh, are pretty much a lot of the teams we’ve played in the past few years.
“Last year was fairly close and finals spot came down to the last round. Three or four teams could have got in.
“Everyone was competitive and around the one standard.”
While the season is scheduled to kick off next month, Weston said they were aware it could just as easily not be the case due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“Restrictions could mean we don’t get a start before Christmas,” he said.
“Places like Altona Sports and Altona have pokie machines, so they even might not be allowed to open.
“We’re hoping the season will go ahead if restrictions are lifted soon.”
Weston said game day could also be a bit different, with the possibility of rinks being staggered to reduce the number of people around at the one time.
“Everything is up in the air,” he said.
“We just want something to do.”
Weston said despite the difficulties they had still been to keep the club in a sound position due to donated funds, membership fees and government grants.
