Deb Waddell Represents Australia in International Disabled Bowls Competition

We all know that lawn bowling is great fun, and that it can also be serious competition. But, can it help when you have a disability? According to Deb Waddell, it can do wonders and get you back in touch with the outdoors, and the people and things around you. That’s a big deal for Waddell, who is partially blind and headed to Petoria, South Africa to compete in The International Bowls for the Disabled.

Lawn bowling is nothing new to Waddell, or her husand, Frank, who is also her director out on the green; Frank also happens to be the President of Disabled Bowls Australia. Since losing her eyesight seven years ago, Deb quickly found that lawn bowls was a great way to relieve stress and put her energy into something that felt great. She quickly took it to the competitive level, and has won the Australian championship five times.

Deb and Frank Waddell are two of 97 lawn bowlers headed to Petoria to take part in the competition, which includes participants from over 20 other countries and has a total of 7 different categories of disabled bowlers. The Waddells and the rest of the Australian team flew out to Petoria on April 27 and they’ll return on May 17.

And the hopeful win of the crown isn’t the only thing that Deb and Frank are looking forward to on this trip; and there’s sure to be another reason why Deb will return to Australia feeling refreshed and rejuvenated – the couple are also squeezing in a vacation to visit Sun City and Pretoria National Park.