TENPIN BOWLING ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET
On May 6, 2022The sport of tenpin bowling has rolled out the red carpet in honour of athletes, officials and volunteers at a gala Awards ceremony on the Gold Coast.
Leaders across the spectrum of politics, sport and industry gathered to witness the launch of tenpin bowling’s new in-school program resources and to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Queenslanders at grassroots, State, national and international levels.
Officially opening the Awards, the CEO of Q-Sport Peter Cummiskey commended the efforts of individual volunteers and families who nourish and sustain these achievements. The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement, reinforced this in his message.
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP
Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and
Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement
“Community sport relies on the efforts of volunteers. We’re actively encouraging more volunteers to get involved in sport and recreation, particularly as Queensland begins two golden decades of opportunity, ahead of and after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he stated.
“We know active Queenslanders are healthy Queenslanders. That’s why the Government is focused on our Activate! Queensland ten-year strategy to keep Queenslanders of all ages and abilities involved in sport and active recreation. Tenpin bowling is a terrific way to stay fit, active and connected with the community,” the Minister added.
Awards in 14 categories were presented, ranging from Athlete with a disability Star of the Year to TBAQ Service to Sport, and spanning individual and team achievements in Junior, Youth, Adult and Senior age groups.
The presence of State MP for Currumbin and Shadow Assistant Minister for Justice and Youth, Laura Gerber, was another highlight of the function, as Ms. Gerber presented two awards – the Junior Athlete Star of the Year and Youth Athlete Star of the Year.
In her address welcoming guests to the southern Gold Coast region, Ms. Gerber paid tribute to the integral role of volunteers in community sport and the importance of sport in engaging young people. She related her own experience of gathering with friends at the local Coolangatta-Tweed Tenpin Bowl in a safe and inclusive environment and congratulated TBAQ for its leadership in initiating and developing the Roll ‘n Strike program that reaches more than 70,000 children every year as a curricula sport in Queensland schools.
“I think that the more children we can give the option to be involved in sport like this the better … tenpin bowling is so inclusive, irrespective of age or ability, and I commend TBAQ for this program,” she added.
Turning to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, Ms. Gerber encouraged the sport to continue its endeavours for inclusion on the Games program, noting the sport’s potential to significantly add to the medal tally, based on the talent represented at this Awards function.
The forthcoming Commonwealth Games, to be hosted by Victoria in 2026 is another major multi-sport event in which the sport aims to be included. As a medal sport on the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur and the Commonwealth Youth Games held in Bendigo in 2004, tenpin bowling athletes have demonstrated their ability to add action and excitement, attract a huge audience of fans, and win a swathe of medals for Australia.
NSW CEO of Commonwealth Games Australia, Peter Tate congratulated TBAQ on the Roll ‘n Strike program in schools. “It’s a winner,” he exclaimed before reminding the audience of Australia’s bowlers’ record-breaking medal haul at the KL Games. “Hopefully in four years’ time there’ll be another opportunity for tenpin bowling to get back into the realm of major multi-sport Games and to be represented at the regional Victorian Commonwealth Games in 2026 – that would be absolutely fantastic,” he added.
During the keynote address of the evening, Tenpin Bowling Queensland CEO, Gail Torrens, outlined the sport services and school resources provided by TBAQ.
“The Roll ‘n Strike school program is extremely popular, with significant growth every single year from its humble beginnings in the 1990’s. Now, methods of delivering the program have changed dramatically with the inclusion of new technology and alignment to core outcomes of present day Australian ACARA curricula requirements of Health and Physical Education in Primary schools, which is why we are relaunching the program”, Ms Torrens explained.
“A comprehensive Teacher’s manual, video support and a dedicated TBAQ APP have been developed to provide an endless variety of lesson plans and support for teachers. Children and teachers alike are now actively engaged with the fun of learning tenpin bowling. Our program is also in demand in community centres, hospital neuro units and afterschool care,” Ms Torrens continued.
“Queensland universities are also engaged by TBAQ …. the strength of the sport and the business of bowling working together have made this unique program what it is today,” she added.
The event then moved into the formal Award presentations. Nominees and winners of each Award category were acknowledged and applauded, and included a special video message from TBA Hall of Fame member, Steve Mackie who now resides in the United States.
The gala function culminated in the induction of Team Manager and Coach, Ken Mills.
“Ken’s work with Juniors in coaching and mentoring roles over many years, having reached the highest level of coaching in Australia (HP2 ), was legendary – and his memory is still very much alive with the Ken Mills Kup tournament legacy still a favoured Junior tournament since his passing,” Ms. Torrens stated.
Ken’s daughter, Kirsty Muller graciously accepted the Award on behalf of her mother Jan, and the Mills family.
Dates and venue for the 2023 TBAQ annual State Awards are yet to be announced, as the sport’s busy tournament calendar resumes following the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
With more than 300,000 recreational players bowling in Queensland every year, the popularity of tenpin bowling is undeniable. The goals of Commonwealth and Olympic Games inclusion are top priority for the sport’s administrators and athletes alike.
The live-stream of TBAQ’s 2022 Awards function can be viewed on TBAQ’s Facebook site. Full details of the Award winners and further details of the Roll ‘n Strike in-school program are published on its website – www.tbaq.org.au
The sport of tenpin bowling has rolled out the red carpet in honour of athletes, officials and volunteers at a gala Awards ceremony on the Gold Coast. Leaders across the spectrum of politics, sport and industry gathered to witness the launch of tenpin bowling’s new in-school program resources and to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of […]
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