BOWLERS from all walks of life hit the pins on July 19 to fundraise money for an organisation passionate about inclusivity for all.
Held at Bunbury Ten Pin Bowl and Family Fun Centre, Western Australia iSports hosted their Rock n' Bowl fundraiser to more than 70 bowlers and their families.
The organisation is passionate about building an inclusive community by offering various events everyone, including people with mental health issues and intellectual and/or physical disabilities.
Sports Director Ron Trezise said since starting five years ago, Western Australia iSports had been a great way to include everyone in sport.
"You can definitely see a difference in people after they come to our events and you can see how happy everybody is and also how terrific they are with sportsmanship," Mr Trezise said.
People just enjoy being in a club. They don't necessarily get invited into standard basketball or football club because of their disability. They don't always get the opportunities that they can here
- Ron Trezise
"Our bowling fundraisers are about participation and enjoyment, we're not a competition-based organisation. Sure everyone loves to win and everyone tries their hardest, but we're not about having a top of the tree, you're the best in the club kind of thing."
With a background in teaching golf to women and children, Mr Trezise joined Western Australia iSport's shortly after it opened, when it was called Special Olympics.
"I came into the organisation without any connection to disability and it was quite an eye opener for me. But I've enjoyed every minute of it and made some great friends."
Western Australia's iSports Athlete Committee member Sam Grigson joined the organisation four years ago and said the fundraising events were not only inclusive for everyone, but a great way to spend time with mates.
"I love bowling and I seem to be pretty good at it. It's my favourite," Mr Grigson said.
Twenty-four-year-old Kris Sunderland was one of the founding members of Western Australia's iSports and along with his dad Colin, said he had heard about the event from word of mouth.
"I enjoy it. Bowling and basketball on Wednesday's are my favourite," Kris Sunderland said.
"These events are a great opportunity for these kids to come out of their shell and gain a lot more confidence. It's about socialising, exercise and inclusivity," Colin Sunderland said.
As a not-for-profit volunteer group, Western Australia iSports holds regular fundraisers to help make money to support other activities the organisation offers including competitive boccee, basketball and other various fitness.
Players supported the Rock n' Bowl event by purchasing tickets and entering raffles via gold coin donation.
"Fundraisers are very important. With Covid hanging over our heads it's been difficult to do regular fundraising and we find that the Ten Pin event has been a good one to tick some dollars over so we can continue hosting our events," Mr Trezise said.
"There was definitely a need for a company like this in Bunbury. WA iSports initially started out as a sporting activities but we also delve into more than that like music."
"People just enjoy being in a club. They don't necessarily get invited into standard basketball or football club because of their disability. They don't always get the opportunities that they can here," Mr Tresize said.
For more information about Western Australia iSports, visit https://www.waisportsinc.com.au/