At her first National Disability Championships for tenpin bowling, Yass’ Leita Neuhaus returned with four medals to show for her efforts.
This year, the championships were in Brisbane, with Leita joining her teammates at the ACT Wizards for a 13-day trip.
Leita had bowled socially in the past and always enjoyed the sport, but her sparking interest became a full-fledged passion after joining a weekly league in Belconnen.
“She used to do it socially through Valmar (Disability Services) and then we managed to get her into the Saturday league probably 18 months ago and really enjoyed it to the extent that she actually sets her alarm by herself on a Saturday morning to get up at 6:00 and to leave by 7 and get into Belconnen to bowl,” said her mum Cath Neuhaus.
“That to me tells me her dedication to the sport, she really loves it,” she said.
In 2020, Leita could not attend many of the weekend bowling activities, and the National Championships were cancelled due to Covid. As a result, this was her first major tournament and the longest time she has ever spent away from her family.
Leita participated in women’s singles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles and mixed triples, receiving a top-three finish and a medal in all four events. Leita also acquired a reputation for being a “big game performer”, getting her career-best score, and thoroughly enjoying the time away with her friends.
Other bowlers from Yass who travelled with the Wizards were Allison Puckett, who averaged 120, Melissa Thurlow, who averaged 102, and Natasha Wilson, who averaged 134 and received a gold medal in B Grade doubles alongside partner Michael Rands.
As well as bowling nearly every day, the Wizards attended Outback Spectacular, Australia Zoo, a luncheon cruise on the river and a celebration dinner organised by the host bowling league.
Next year’s event will be in Melbourne, with many of the Wizards ready to back it up, after enjoying their trip to Brisbane.
Max O’Driscoll
