Brothers give back to ‘barrier-breaking’ sport
Local Legends can be found anywhere around the country and from any upbringing or background – and Camberwell Central Bowls Club brothers Kevin and Tom Woon are perfect examples of that.
Kevin, 24, and Tom, 21, have no family connection to bowls, but starting as young boys have now become key individuals at their club.
Kevin began playing bowls through his high school, picking it up as a summer sport about 11 years ago.
“When I started I was semi-good, so I just kept going. It’s one of those sports that is really hard to master, so being a perfectionist I enjoyed the challenge,” he said.
“There is always a different scenario and different tests to face.”
Tom followed suit of his older brother, joining Camberwell Central after several years of ‘pestering’ from Kevin.
“I joined a good 5 or 6 years later. I also came down to Camberwell Central as part of a school program. It was a bit of stress relief from studying and it was just something different to do,” Tom said.
Having both come through school programs in their teens, both brothers have become engrained at Camberwell Central, with Kevin now serving as the club’s bowls director and Tom involved in running school programs.
“I’ve had exposure with running school programs like the one I went through. From that I realised I enjoyed teaching which is why I shifted my career ambitions (from being a commercial pilot) to flight instruction,” he said.
“It’s so important to get that passion out there and foster it just like it was for us.”
Kevin said it has been an easy decision to work and give back to his club.
“I handled a bit on the IT side, implementing new systems and setting up social media accounts. After that someone approached me about being bowls director,” he said.
“It was a good opportunity to give it a go, give something back and it’s panned out pretty well so far.
“I’ve been here since I was 13, everyone here has watched me grow up. It’s been such a supportive environment and I am so thankful for this club to get me to where I am, not just in bowls but also as a person.”
“I have also been able to break through some personal barriers and reach those goals I’ve wanted to reach.”
One of those barriers is on green success, with Kevin going on to be crowned Camberwell Central club champion in December.
“It was quite nerve-wracking but it was a real honour to win,” he said.
Kevin said he and his brother will continue to give back to the club and sport that has been able to be a home for them.
“Bowls is probably one of the best things that has happened to us,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter your race, age, gender, you can fit in anywhere.”
Contribution by Paul Hotlschke – Regional Bowls Manager (Metropolitan Melbourne/Geelong)
Find your local RBM: bowls.com.au/rbms
