Louise wins silver at the Disability Bowls Nationals
Months later she started playing league mixed fours, then very quickly got moved up to the ladies 2nd side before she knew it, she was on the 1st side.
Louise Evans from Wilgeheuwel never thought about taking up lawn bowls – she was happy watching and supporting her husband Jason, who has been a bowler for 18 years and played for South Africa in the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Eight years ago, when Louise was 37, she suffered a stroke which affected her left side resulting in her not having proper use of her left arm and hand, and she now wears a brace on her left leg to help her walk.
Eighteen months ago, she decided to give bowls a try, by becoming a member of the Roosevelt Park Bowls Club and to her surprise she really enjoyed playing and got hooked quite quickly.
Months later she started playing league mixed fours, then very quickly got moved up to the women’s second side, and before she knew it, she was part of the first side.
Louise said, “Someone then mentioned that I should play for the Physically Disabled Bowls of South Africa (PDBSA). I was hesitant at first but decided to give it a go. I entered the Disability Nationals in June and to my total surprise, I won two silver medals, one for singles and one for pairs.”
Her pairs partner was disabled Protea player, Jill Pearson, whom Louise had not met before they played, but they made a very a good team.
Louise said, “My boss, George O’Brien, has made it possible for me to play bowls. He allows me to take time off for the competitions and practices beforehand, and if it wasn’t for him, I actually wouldn’t be able to play at all, as my previous job included weekend and weekday work.”
