Tenpin bowler Susan Brown honoured with Inaugural DEDICATION TO SPORT Award
By Lynne Clay
Surrounded by a full house of league bowlers at Zone Bowling Mt. Gravatt last weekend, vision-impaired athlete Susan Brown has been honoured with a prestigious DEDICATION TO SPORT award.
Presented by Colin Smith, Manager of Sports House in Milton on behalf of the Queensland government’s Department of Sport and Recreation, the award recognises Susan’s enthusiasm, passion and dedication to the sport of Tenpin Bowling. “Susan certainly ticks all of those boxes and then some, and in so doing, is a genuine inspiration to others,” Mr. Smith commented as he congratulated her on winning the inaugural Sports House award.
“This year it was my privilege to select a worthy individual from a community sport who could really benefit from a small amount of financial assistance to offset some of the costs associated with participation in their chosen sport,” he explained.
“Keen to support visually impaired people, I selected Susan Brown who bowls in weekly competitions at Mt Gravatt and is always seeking improvement by attending extra coaching sessions. “Susan embodies what we all admire about community sport in that she does it for the pure fun and enjoyment of the competitions she plays in, and the social interaction that is associated with her involvement.
“Although 100% visually impaired, Susan does not consider her disability to be a barrier to her participation, and I deeply admire her enthusiasm and courage. “My attendance last Saturday at Mt Gravatt Bowl was just so uplifting and inspiring – all of those bowlers are an inspiration to me, and they ALL demonstrate the positives that sport can bring to our lives,” Mr. Smith added.
Also present at the award ceremony on Saturday was Susan’s long-time coach – TBAQ CEO, Gail Torrens. “I’m extremely proud of Susan’s dedication to our sport and delighted that she is being honoured in this way. “Tenpin bowling is renowned as an inclusive sport for people of all ages and abilities and the $380 cash component of her award will help Susan, and her trusty guide-dog CJ. with travel costs etc. from her home in Logan city to continue enjoying our sport,” she said.
“I would also like to acknowledge the generous donation of merchandise and bowling accessories provided by Tenpintec on behalf of Kegel Australia as additional practical mementos of Susan’s prestigious award,” Gail noted. “The team at Tenpintec are valued sponsors of some of Queensland’s major tenpin tournaments and the support and collaboration between the industry and our sport is greatly appreciated,” she continued.
“It was really wonderful that Susan’s award presentation was attended by so many of her Waltzing Matilda league colleagues who were thrilled when Col Smith joined them on the lanes afterwards for a couple of games too,” Gail added with a broad smile.
Below is some of the range of KEGEL merchandise and accessories donated by Tenpintec to augment the Award
