Elaine's Life Membership

Life Membership Award Elaine McDonald awarded Life

Membership

Life Membership to the Southwest Bowling League was recently awarded to Eaton Club Member Elaine McDonald in recognition of her Excellent Service, to the League and all Lawn Bowlers, for her untiring work as the League Umpires and Coaches Presenter and Assessor.

Elaine started her bowling career in 1985-86 as a member of the Darkan Bowling Club in the Forrest League. In 1992-93 she became a National Umpire and there her services began. In 1995-96 she took over as the Forrest League Umpires Rep. a position she held for five years.

In 2000-01 she and her husband Bruce sold their farm at Darkan and moved to Bunbury where they joined the Eaton Bowling and Social Club.

The following year on request from Bowls WA, she took up the position of the Umpires Rep for the Southwest Bowling League. This was the title until 2015-16 when it became Umpires Presenter and Assessor and some 21 years later Elaine still holds the position.

For the past 5 years Elaine has also worked as the Presenter & Assessor for the Leeuwin League.

In 2016-17 she also became a Coaches Presenter and Assessor. These two positions have enabled many bowlers from the two Leagues to be coached as Umpires and Coaches, without having to travel to Perth to attain same, or for Bowls WA reps to have to travel to the Southwest to undertake the classes.

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Contact Aaron Delaporte for further information. Tel: 08 9340 0800 or email: aaron@bowlswa.com.au or visit us on www.bowlswa.com.au

• Laurie Blurton with Elaine McDonald.

In addition to her work as Presenter and Assessor, for Coaching and Umpiring, Elaine has been the Deputy Vice President (undergoing all the Captains duties) and President of the League (both for a 2 year term.)

She has represented the League at the highest playing level— Inter league and Inter zone Round Robins, and Country v Metropolitan. Elaine has won several League and Zone titles.

Elaine has been in the winning team of the State Fours twice, winner of Country Week Pairs. She represented the State for three years, the Over 60’s for two and was the Assistant Coach/Team Manager of the State Womens Side for four years.

In 2015-16 Elaine became an International Technical Official and has represented our League well. She has officiated at National Side Series, Australian Indoor Singles, Multi Nations, Trans-Tasman, Asian Pacific Games, Australian Singles Champion of Champions, Australian Senior Side Series and last but no means least officiated at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

When asked why she has held the position she has had for 26 years Elaine says that she absolutely loves the work and being able to pass on her knowledge to any bowler who wishes to become either a Umpire or a Coach.

She also hopes to continue in this role for as long as she can – it will only be health issues or someone younger wishing to take over that she would step aside for. “I just love it,” she said.