IN THE RUNNING: Both star bowler Lee Stinson and the Orange City Bowling Club are up for awards at the Bowls NSW Player Awards on January 23 in Sydney. Photo: JACK KEMP 0114jkbowlsawards3
AT 28 years of age, Lee Stinson didn’t expect to be nominated for the Bowls NSW 2012 most improved bowler of the year award.
A bowler at the peak of his powers, the Orange City Bowling Club star helped take his number four state pennant side to another flag win while also guiding his Zone Five side to second in the state fours and earning another Country jumper.
It was a fine year for the renowned bowler.
But, alongside Grenfell junior Blake Bradtke, 17, and 20-year-olds Alex Lee, Ashley Mitchell (both from Roselands) and Taren Point representative Matt Miles, Stinson has been recognised for a strong year with the most improved bowler nomination.
Now in the running, Stinson said it’d be an honour to take it out.
“It won’t be easy,” Stinson said of his chances at the 2012 NSW Players Awards night.
The 28-year-old was happy just to be recognised.
“I’m definitely the old man of the group. None of the others are above 21,” he laughed.
“Certainly it’s nothing I’ve ever been nominated for before or even considered myself a chance of being part of.
“It’s nice to be acknowledged for what you do. It’d be a big thrill.”
The Orange City Bowling Club is also up for a gong after being nominated for the inaugural Bowls NSW best performed club of the year at the awards night on the January 23 at the Bowlers Club in Sydney.
Throughout the year just gone, the club hosted the No. 4 state pennant finals, while zone events get shared and Orange City missed out on hosting Zone Five championships in 2012.
“It’ be nice to win,” Stinson said on behalf of the club.
Orange City is up against three big city clubs in the form of Belrose, Cabramatta and Roselands bowling clubs while Dubbo’s Railway Bowling Club is also in the running to be awarded Bowls NSW’s first club of the year gong.
“Those clubs are all at a higher level of pennant than us but I’m not 100 per cent sure on how the winner will be awarded,” he said.
“In terms of our ability to host events, it’s got a bit of a tick for us but obviously they’re strong clubs. Cabramatta won the state number one pennant and I think were runner up in the twos as well. They’re a high club.
“They’re all big clubs and it’s good to see us and Dubbo Railway being given a look in.”