Australia’s best were honoured at Bowls Australia’s virtual 2023 Awards Night, recognising the achievements of people from all corners of the sport across the country.
Aero Bowls would like to congratulate all the winners and participants for their achievements.
Club of the Year: Club Tweed (QLD) (DrinkWise
In the past 12 months, Club Tweed has demonstrated a real commitment to developing participation in the sport, all the way from grassroots through to premier-competition level.
The club is a driver of inclusivity and assists with initiatives to promote bowls as a sport for anyone, most notably with the rainbow versatility pairs championed by its member and Para Jackaroo Serena Bonnell. It is truly one of the most open clubs in the world.
The club works meticulously with state and national bodies and is a key player in national events, hosting the Australian Indoor Championships and owning BPL franchise, the Tweed Heads Ospreys
Male Bowler with a Disability of the Year: Jake Fehlberg (Bargara, QLD) (MakMax)
Jake has enjoyed a scintillating year on the green across district, state, national and international levels.
On the national arena, the Bargara bowler would clinch gold in the vision-impaired pairs event at the 2023 Australian Open, as well as a silver in the singles.
Internationally, he would take silver at the Multi Nations before becoming the first para bowler to win a gold at the Commonwealth Games and World Bowls Championships thanks to his title on the Gold Coast in September.
In addition, Jake would win two gold medals at the International Blind Bowlers Association world championships.
Male Bowler of the Year: Aron Sherriff (Broadbeach, QLD) (Tourism and Events Queensland)
Aron enjoyed a sublime 12 months, finishing as the number one ranked male bowler in the nation with 328 points, 66 points ahead of his nearest rival.
Aron’s season included two more Australian Open titles in the men’s singles and fours, as well as a silver in the pairs en route to becoming player of the tournament for the second time, an Australian Indoors singles title accompanied those, as did the Alley shield and a bronze in the 2022 Australian Championships triples event.
Sherriff would add another Bowls Premier League title to his account in February, as well as a sixth MVP award and an All Star nod to add to his list of accolades.
International Male Bowler of the Year: Aron Sherriff (Broadbeach, QLD) (Australian Sports Commission)
Aron spearheaded Australia’s attack on the Irish test event, Multi Nations and World Bowls Championships throughout this period, and aided the Australian Jackaroos’ performances on the green more than any other individual, as recognised by the peer voting.
In 2023, Sherriff became Australia’s most successful World Championships male athlete by claiming two golds in the men’s triples and fours to take his tally to three, going with his fours triumph in 2012.
Additionally, Aron would clinch two World Bowls Indoor Championships titles at Warilla in May – men’s singles in a tight final win over New Zealand’s Andrew Kelly, and the mixed pairs with Kelsey Cottrell in a sensational final win over Scotland.
This is Aron’s second International Bowler of the Year accolade, following on from his previous win in 2019.
TAGS: 2023 Awards Night Awards Night