Lawn Bowling for the visually impaired
Bill Scullion
Lawn bowling is a sport for all ages and is no different for blind lawn bowlers. For the past 20 years, the members of the unique Quebec Blind Lawn Bowling Association (QBLBA) have been competing and having fun thanks to volunteer coaches, markers (who verbalize the position of the bowls and act as guides to the bowlers), and a wonderful refreshment committee.
The QBLBA began in Westmount, and was established in Beaconsfield in 1990. While a dozen or more clubs exist in other provinces, this is the only club for blind lawn bowlers in the province of Quebec.
Under the enthusiastic and expert tutelage of the late Joan McKay and the late John Carlin, the club soon had a vibrant group of blind lawn bowlers ready for competition. In 1993, they won two medals at their first National Tournament in Halifax. They have not looked back since. This August at the National Championships in Vancouver, two ‘B1’ members, Ron Pelletier and Louis VanVolsen, returned with gold and silver medals.
Blind bowlers are divided into three categories according to the amount or degree of their sight: Category ‘B1’ have no useable sight; ‘B2’ have a measurable amount or degree of sight; and ‘B3’ have a measurable amount more. International or National Sports regulations set the sight categories and rules of play.
This year two QBLBA players and their markers will participate as members of the Canadian National Team at the World Lawn Bowling Championships, held every four years. Preparing for the National Championships always requires much planning and fund raising.
The Beaconsfield Lawn Bowling Club provides access to the clubhouse facilities and green time on Monday evenings and Wednesday afternoons during the summer season. Recruitment and training of new coaches is on-going. For info call Bill Scullion at 514 342-0836.
