Rainbow Versatility Pairs kicks off tomorrow at Club Tweed
Tomorrow will see the launch of an all-inclusive bowls event at Club Tweed called the Rainbow Versatility Pairs that sees Right at Home Para Jackaroo and Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Thrive With Pride ambassador Serena Bonnell leading the charge.
The full day ranking event will distribute $3,000 in prize money and welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, in one of the most inclusive tournaments that the sport has ever seen.
Speaking on Bowls Australia’s (BA) Without Bias program, Bonnell outlined the tournament format and reason for the event.
“It’s a versatility pairs format where you play three different formats of pairs and it sends a message for how versatile our game can be in each discipline,” she said.
“The overarching theme of the event is to promote LGBTIQ+ inclusion and demonstrate how awesome our game is for everyone.
“It’s a BA ranked event and it will be live streamed by the Gold Coast Tweed District Bowls Association have agreed to live stream the event.”
Bonnell recently made the switch from Broadbeach to Club Tweed, where she has been profoundly supported in continuing to drive inclusivity within bowls.
“Of me they’ve been super supportive and super welcoming.
“In terms of the event, the club has a super progressive board who are forward thinking, as is CEO Gerard Robinson,” she added.
“It’s because of that mindset that Club Tweed was the first that I approached to run an event of this nature and they celebrate all members of their club.
“The tournament closely aligns with their culture and mindset and I must say that Wayne Turley and Emma Boyd have been absolutely brilliant in helping me plan the event and nut out the details.”
Representatives from the AIS and BA will be in attendance, while in amidst the full playing field will be Bonnell and her fellow Para Jackaroos in Cheryl Lindfield and Damien Delgado, as well as former Australian international Nathan Rice.
Play kicks off at 9am AEST at Club Tweed.
