NEW Zealand’s Blackjacks Assistant Coach for bowls Richard Girvan is a fixture at Nelson Bay Bowling Club.

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Richard like many Kiwi’s chose to make Australia home and made the move in 1999 for the Premier League.

He subsequently moved to the Bay in 2009 and is the clubs Bowls Development Manager who looks after the bowling program and coaches members.

From 2005-2015 Richard was a part of the New Zealand Blackjacks, he played 234 games for the New Zealand team, including playing at three Commonwealth Games, Glasgow, India and Melbourne and two World Championships.

In 2008 Richard was one of the four players that took out the Gold Medal for the World Four’s Championship in Christchurch.

As Assistant coach of the Blackjacks Richard is working with seven members of the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team currently based in Australia, and will work with the whole team throughout the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April 2018.

Richard Girvan told News Of The Area, “I think the social aspect of the game makes it perfect for a community like the Bay, it’s a great way to meet people, and you can relax with a beer and enjoy some company while playing a game.”

He believes that the casual mufti and barefoot bowls days have made bowls more interesting for more people and encourages everyone of any age to give it a go.

“We have two ladies that conduct an introduction to bowls on Saturday mornings and if people are interested in getting involved and joining up they then have the opportunity to be coached by me.”

“Lawn bowls is accessible, inclusive and a great social game that players can take on without a huge outlay on equipment, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t give it a go” he said.

By Marian SAMPSON