TWO members of Yeovil Bowls Club Visually Impaired section have been selected to play for England at the International Blind Bowlers Association World Championships in Australia next month.

Maurice Perry and Ron Homer will be competing at Tweed Heads, New South Wales, from 24 February to 18 March.
Ron plays in the B2 Sight category Singles and Mixed Pairs, and Maurice plays in the B4 Sight category and plays in the Singles and Mixed Pairs.
Ron is no stranger to the competition having won the gold medal for his sight group in the singles competition at the last championships in South Africa.

This year’s competition, in which 13 countries are taking part, is two years behind schedule because of Covid-19 travel restrictions and runs on a four-year cycle.
Winners of the singles sight groups in the National competitions go on to the fourth year and take part in a play-off to for the chance to represent their country in the world championships.
Maurice, who was the runner-up in last year’s nationals, said: “This opportunity is a once in a lifetime chance for me to perform the sport I love on the world stage.
“After only bowling for six years, and to be doing it with my great friend and someone who thought I had potential from day one is awesome.
“With Ron’s skill and knowledge he took me under his wing in the summer of 2015 and with the help and support of Yeovil Bowls Club, the YVIBC and helpers at the same time, it has culminated in my selection to the world championships in Australia.
“Not having a chance to do the Commonwealth Games was a hard enough blow, only allowing B2 and B3 sight category bowlers to compete, but the ‘worlds’ has smoothed over that disappointment.”

The Government and governing body Bowls England do not give the visually impaired section any financial help with their competitions, so funding is a major issue.
Anyone who would like to sponsor or donate towards Ron’s and Mo’s world championship trip can contact them through the club’s website, www.ybsc.co.uk