“I was happy that my hard work finally paid off.”
Mitchell Meares is still on cloud nine after becoming the 2024 Masters Open Champion in last month’s Tenpin Bowling Australia National Disability Championship.
It was the 35th year of the National Disability Championship, which sees bowlers with disability from all around Australia to come together and compete. This year, over 380 bowlers took part in the competition.
Meares battled against over a dozen other competitors to take home the prize money, medal and plaque.
His new title has been a long time coming; it’s something he’s been training for, building up his skills over time since starting competitive bowling in 2021.
“You have to start increasing the amount of training and the amount of leagues that you bowl in so that you can hone in on your skills more times during the week,” he explained.
The competition was challenging as it involves a series of games played across a day. Meares said he could feel himself getting tired – but he dug deep and found the strength and stamina to continue.
“When I got to the last game… it was basically right at the end, I knew that I had to bowl one last good shot to win,” he recalled.
Meares has always loved bowling, ever since attending some bowling birthday parties when he was younger. After his family moved suburbs, he found a local bowling centre that offered coaching and decided to give it a go.
“I’ve not stopped since!” he said proudly, adding that he’s now ‘addicted’ to the sport.
“It gives me something to do during the week so that I’m not sitting around at home too much. And it’s exercise that’s not too tiring, but it’s also not too physical.”
Thanks to his involvement in the national tournament, Meares added that he’s made friends with other bowlers from across Australia, which has added to his enjoyment.
It’s been a big year for Meares, who also won the 2024 TBA Inclusion Cup back in February, alongside fellow bowler Amanda Threlfall.
Thanks to his commitment to the sport, he’s made the national squad and is currently training for a tournament to be held in Hong Kong next January.
As for his Masters prize money, Meares said he would put it towards what he loves: straight back into paying for the leagues he bowls in during the week.
And he has some solid advice for any other person with disability who is considering taking up the sport.
“Just give it a go and see if it’s the right thing – you won’t know until you attempt it!”
