It’ll be no surprise to the para bowls community, and the whole bowls community for that matter, that Don Stephens is Bowls New Zealand’s Para Bowler of the Year in the B1-B4 category.

The Riccarton Racecourse bowler was always in the hunt for bowling honours at his club as an unimpaired bowler.  So as his sight gradually deteriorated (and continues to deteriorate) and he moved on to a yellow kitty, those around him (and who knew him) expected Don to keep doing well.

And he has.

But he’s put in the hard yards to do so.  As the Secretary of the New Zealand Blind Lawn Bowling Association, Kevin Smith, observes “Don is a person who prepares himself for all events.  He is constantly on the greens practising to improve his game … and he will seek all opportunities to participate so he can develop his game.”

On top of that, Don is always willing to do what your stereotypical male is afraid to do … ask directions from others to become better at the game.  “Not just on the rare occasion,” says Kevin.  “Don is always seeking guidance and advice from other senior players at the club.”

It’s the formula for success in any sport : practise, practise, practise and listen, listen, listen.

That’s a fine mantra for bowlers with 20/20 vision.  But all the more remarkable for someone like Don who has no show of reading the eyechart from 20 feet away.  His eyesight (in his words) is ‘not flash, and going down hill.’

“I’ve been talking to a specialist a fair bit recently,” says Don. “He says that I might need two operations … one on each eye.  That might curtail further deterioration.”

Despite worries about his eyesight, it hasn’t stopped Don from enjoying his bowls and enjoying his club.  Even in the Christchurch winter … Riccarton Racecourse is one of the few clubs in Christchurch that have both grass and artificial greens.  “If anything, we get more people playing in winter than we do in summer.  Although I must confess we’ve had a lot more rain than usual this year which has stopped us getting out on the green.”

Don Loves the club.  And the club loves him.

“Don is a real club man,” says Kevin.  “With his bowling skills and respectful, gentle manner, Don is always a welcome addition to any team.”

Don’s para pairs partner, Deane Roberston, is just as effusive : “He is a quiet and gentle man who is modest about his success.  He is great to play with as a pairs partner, because he is a good team man.”

That’s just Don being Don.   Don enjoys the company of others … he enjoys helping and being helped.  He doesn’t think of ‘teamsmanship’ as a way of playing better bowls, but just as a way of being a better person.

Nonetheless, it is making Don a better bowler.

He won the Summerset Nationals B3/B4 SIngles in January this year.  A tournament at which he also won the Summerset National B1/B2 Pairs with Deane Roberston.  Don also had 5 out of 5 wins as a singles player in the over 60’s Interclub Sevens.

“I guess over the years I’ve also had quite a few wins at the club as an ‘unimpaired’ bowler as well.  And even reached the finals in the Centre on four occasions.”

That’s something a fully-sighted bowler would be proud of, let alone a bowler continually challenging his ophthalmologist.

Congratulations on your award, Don.  It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.