ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009

Our journey began outside the Aliathon Holiday Village reception, fond farewells to take care and do well, and we were off. It was a long journey, overnight, stopping to change planes at Heathrow and arriving  at Johannesburg 9am. Unpacking must have been done in record time to get changed and on to the greens to find out what was in store for us. How heavy are these greens? A bit different from the carpet back home!

The Wanderers Club, where the Championships were held is quite something, four greens, very large clubhouse catering for many sports and activities, food, bar and social areas all contained within. With 16 countries represented, ten playing members and managers, there were a lot of old friends to meet and greet as well as the new faces who became friends for life.

Each Nation had been allocated a “host club” to look after us ,entertain us and be there for us, Cyprus had the Pirates Club, and what a wonderful bunch they turned out to be. They did admit they were a little bit concerned, Cyprus, will they be a load of old fogies, speaking Greek; what a shock they had? 

At last the day has arrived, everyone had the proverbial butterflies, but” let the show begin”, as they say. Didn’t we look smart in our new kits, many compliments came our way and we certainly held our heads up high for the opening ceremony.

The first week saw the pairs and triples, with the singles and fours the second week, nothing to it, just go out there and play bowls; we are a tiny little country with nothing to lose, less than 350 members pitting our strength against Nations with hundreds to chose from! Usually there were two matches each day, and at the end of the first week, we ladies were doing pretty well, 5^th in the triples and made the quarterfinal play offs in the pairs, that should give us a few points on the old leader board. The second week saw some good impressive bowling, enough for us to finish 5^th and 6^th respectively, how have we done? Yes, we have qualified for The World Championships in Australia 2012, all my ambitions fulfilled. Players and managers from a variety of Nations were there to congratulate us, “you girls played well”, “the score didn’t reflect the game”, “you have certainly handled the conditions well, coming from synthetic to grass” “well done you”. “Cyprus will be proud of you”. Unfortunately our men had a really hard time out there, the standard of bowls from their opposition certainly left them wondering what they had to do to get a win under their belts; something that they all felt would need to be addressed on their return. 

All good things must come to an end, the closing ceremony, no medals, but we have qualified; the gala dinner finished a very enjoyable two weeks, and so to that long journey home.  Friendship, camaraderie, competitiveness, team Cyprus has certainly fulfilled all that it takes to be on the big scene of bowls, all from our little island in the Mediterranean.