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As an exceptionally talented Newcastle, KZN bowls participant, Vicky van der Merwe, will proudly be joining the South African Bowls Team and making her way to England, participating in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games, generally known as Birmingham 2022, is an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth, scheduled to be held in Birmingham, England from 28 July to 8 August 2022.
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Set to participate in the paraplegic division in the upcoming event, Vicky said she initially partook in the trials back in November 2021. After this, she was selected among a group of players to participate in the final selection rounds known as the Golden Squad Practice during the course of March 2022.
Nevertheless, after weeks of waiting, on Wednesday, 8 June 2022, Vicky received the news that she had been selected to participate in the renowned sporting event.
As she now prepares to take to the international sporting stage, Vicky said, “I cannot describe the emotions, but I am excited. This is a dream come true.”
This dream follows her journey in the sport after she began playing bowls in 2012, embracing her newfound passion fully.
In 2017, she underwent a series of back operations to resolve spinal issues, which resulted in nerve damage. This saw Vicky not having full control of her feet and having to wear titanium braces.
Despite this, she refused to give up on bowls. As an active member of the Newcastle Bowls Club, Vicky was approached by Disability Bowls in 2019, to participate in the Nationals. The event took place in Boksburg from 15 June to 23 June 2019, where Vicky and her Bowls partner, Julie Deferville, won gold.
Click here to read more about Vicky’s experience at the 2019 Nationals.
After winning the gold, Vicky declared that she was determined to play for the South African Team, a dream that has now come true.
With the eager Newcastillian preparing to travel to Birmingham within the next month, she had the following to say. “I am aiming to get gold at the Commonwealth Games, and the woman I am playing with is good, so we have a chance at gold.”
As she now prepares to obtain her goal, the 52-year-old bowls gold medalist concluded with a few motivational words. “No matter your age, or how abled you are, play bowls, pursue your goals and grab them with both hands and never give up,” she stressed.
The Newcastillian – Online News and Pixelfish Marketing extend a hearty congratulations to Vicky van der Merwe, as she prepares to compete at an international level.
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Congratulations well done