Harvey’s Calvin Rodgers comes home with gold from International Blind Bowlers Association Championships

A local bowler has been recognised as one of the best in the world after competing in an international tournament last month.

Calvin Rodgers has returned to Harvey a champion after competing in the 2023 International Blind Bowls Association World Championships, held in the New South Wales town of Tweed Heads between March 5 and 15.

He competed in two B3 categories at the tournament, which are for players with a visual acuity of between 2/60 and 6/60.

Rodgers and NSW counterpart Jacky Hudson competed together for the B3 mixed pairs, taking on competitors from England, Scotland, New Zealand, South Africa and Hong Kong.

The pair lost only one match in the second round against Hong Kong, taking the gold medal and finishing the tournament a game ahead of silver medalists Scotland.

Rodgers and his director Jason Scheutjens also put in a strong showing in the B3 men’s singles, but were unable to clinch the gold medal position from Scotsman John Fox and his director Alistair Pratt. The local pair came home with the silver medal.

Rodgers described the experience as “fantastic”.

“Being the first world championships I have gone to, I had quite a nervous feeling representing the country for the first time,” he said.

“Naturally, it is going to be the best of the best. Overall, I am very happy with my result.”

The titles have not stopped for Rodgers since he returned to the green at the Harvey Bowling Club, helping the club take out the division two men’s pennants grand final in the South West Bowling League against local rivals Brunswick.

The club also won the division two midweek pennants title against Busselton, which will see both sides play in the division one competition next season.

Rodgers will defend his title at the All Abilities State Championships this weekend, before heading to the Gold Coast in June to compete in the Australian Open.