Disability Sports News - with PembrokeshireSport.co.uk

Ben’s making a bowling name for himself

Ben Hopkin has been playing bowls for seven years and at 26 years of age is setting an example in determination and dedication because he is already regarded as a very useful bowler – and is the only one in the county who competes from a wheelchair!

‘Hot Shot’ Ben gets his reward

Ben suffers from cerebral palsy but is determined that it shouldn’t prevent him being an integral part of the Fishguard and Goodwick Bowling Club, and receives total support from all at the club who enjoy his company and skills that help him play well. Indeed, he has been on two tours with them and already has a claim to fame because whilst playing against a touring side on their home green in Goodwick he was part of a winning rink that scored a maximum eight shots – a rare event that many able-bodied bowlers only dream about. This feat enabled Ben to join the ‘Hot Shots Club’ sponsored by Bowls International.

Rita found the bowling chance

His start in bowls owes a lot to mum Rita because after Ben had completed a sixth-form computer course at Ysgol Dewi Sant she went with Ben to meet a careers advisor and discovered, quite by chance, that there was a course in bowling for people with a special need.

It was organised by Bill Price and Jim Lewis at the Meads Leisure Centre in Milford Haven, from 2-4pm on a Monday, and Ben says that he took to it straight away as the very first wood he delivered hit the jack – and he has been involved ever since. Although Ben now plays for Fishguard and Goodwick he still attends with friends like Mary Bright, another wheelchair user, and one of his aims is to see more people in wheelchairs getting involved in bowls.

Ken gets him involved at Fishguard

Ben played there for four years, using borrowed woods, but one day received a phone call from Ken Grace, the president of Fishguard and Goodwick Bowling Club, who said that the club was a man short indoors and invited Ben to join them for the match. He did just that and played for the rest of the season, having a great time in the process.

There followed the first end-of-season tour down south and then John Evans asked Ben if he would like to play outdoors for the club in the Meyrick Owen Shield competition. The club has two teams and Ben plays for Strumble, sometimes playing No 2 in a rink and sometimes as skip, where he is expected to show his tactical skills as well as being a good bowler against the likes of teams from Pendine and Neyland.

Bright new woods for delighted Ben

There was another major step forward at the start of the last outdoor season because Ben acquired his own set of woods, a bright, sparkly set in blue and yellow, and bought as a gift by his younger brother Joe. They are a ‘Drake’s Pride Professional’ set and he has quickly grown in confidence with them in the meanwhile. Another major change is the fact that Ben now uses a specially-adapted chair with a roller, rather than wheels, which means it is better than previously bowling from a wheelchair – and also ensures he doesn’t have to worry about using a board to prevent damage to the green.

Competition success –

and a chase to get Ben even more busy

Ben did really well in club competitions this season outdoors as he reached the quarter-finals of both singles competitions, played in the final of the triples with Tony Evans and Hazel Britton – and won the rink, playing as No 2 alongside Mike Barringer, Stuart Jeremiah and Ken Grace. His next target is to enter the 2012 Pembroke County Bowling Association Open and under 35 singles competitions, where he will give 100%, as usual, and perhaps inspire other club colleagues who think they are not quite up to the standard required!

He has also been chased by the British Wheelchair Bowls Association, based in London, who had heard of his involvement and wanted him as a member. At the moment he is the only member in Wales and so is already looking forward to representing his country in Home International competitions against the English, Scots and Irish.

And finally . . .

Outside of his bowls, Ben is a keen follower of Andy Murray in tennis and the Welsh rugby team, as well as regional rugby with the Ospreys and Scarlets. But it is bowls that keeps him very busy because he plays each Monday in the Disability Bowls Club at the Meads Leisure Centre, on Wednesday at the same venue as part of a rink team, and then every third Friday in a triples competition where his regular team-mates are John Davies and Dave Steadman.

 In all of them he gives the 100% commitment that is part of his make-up and we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk enjoyed watching him in the triples – and could tell that he is a very good player already – and we are sure to hear much more of him in the future!

 

 

PHOTOS:

Ben Hopkin.

Ben and mentor Bill Price.

Ben and his opposing skip.

Ben, his triples team mates and opposing team.