Chris Green, Sports Development Office The Land Below The Wind - As the cold winds blew across NSW during the middle of July, I was escaping the weather to a place much warmer – Sabah, Borneo. Sabah is located in the top portion of Borneo (the third largest island in the world) in the East of Malaysia.
I was in Sabah not only for the sensationally warm weather (ranged between 24 – 34 degrees) but also for the 2011 Borneo Lawn Bowls Cup, an international bowls event sanctioned by the Sabah Bowls Council (The 2012 BLBC will be sanctioned by Bowls Malaysia). This was the second year of the Cup and once again was an event packed with brilliant bowls, classical characters, fantastic friendships and everlasting memories.
The 2010 Borneo Lawn Bowls Cup featured 24 teams from Australia and Borneo. This year’s Cup doubled in sized and grew dramatically in countries participating, 48 teams (men’s, women’s and mixed) contested the event with teams from Australia (NSW, Victoria and WA), Philippines, Korea, Sabah, Brunei and all over Malaysia. The event is organised by former Australian Socceroo representative Scott Ollerenshaw, as part of his sports holidays that started off with his love of football and have now branched into lawn bowls – great news for all bowlers looking for an exciting holiday with an international bowls event included.
While not participating in the Cup, Sabah has so many great options that must be explored during your holiday. The leisure activities are endless including: night and day markets, massive shopping outlets, beautiful islands (snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, banana boats and parasailing) and night spots along the beachfront wharf. Activities for the keen photographers and sightseer including: Mount Kinabalu(the highest mountain in Borneo), famous Orangutans and Proboscis monkeys, war memorials and much more. Mix all of these activities with the extraordinarily friendly locals, great exchange rate and brilliant hotels and you just can’t go wrong – it’s a winner on all bases!
So if you are considering a change from the colds of winter next year don’t forget about all that Sabah and the Borneo Lawn Bowls Cup has to offer. I know I won’t be forgetting and already have the 2012 Borneo Lawn Bowls Cup highlighted in my diary, a warm return back to Sabah – the land below the wind.
Bob Bywater, Customs Broker
I am writing to you to express my appreciation of the organisation that you and your staff provided at the recent Borneo Lawn Bowls Cup. I have attended many bowling tournaments here in Australia, both as a player and an organiser, and your event was as well planned and executed as the best in this country.
It was also very pleasing to see such a large representation of political figures and State and local lawn bowls officials supporting the event. I had some interesting discussions with some of your guests relating to the improvements to the venue for the future, mainly the upgrade of the surface and some form of overhead shading for the players.
In this country, as I think you are aware, we have a growing problem with child obesity and it has been primarily caused by poor diet and lack of exercise. In acountry of our wealth this is a travesty. It was with delight that I noticed the large numbers of young players both participating and watching our games and I hope with the help of your Sports Minister and his department this and other sports are promoted in your country.
Finally I would like to share with you my absolute delight in the way our Sabah hosts welcomed us and how well we were treated not only at the tournament but also afterwards on our extended stay. Thanks for everything.
David Levy, Ramsgate RSL Bowling Club & 2010 Participant
A trip to remember!!!!, the Borneo lawn bowls cup brought together bowlers from Australia and Sabah for 3 days of top quality bowls and a chance to experience the culture and friendship of the people of Sabah. The accommodation at the sutera was 1st class and the organising committee led by Scott ollerenshaw made sure that we were treated to some wonderful tours and each day had the pleasure of eating at various restaurants in Sabah.
The bowls tournament was very competitive but also played with great sportsmanship, we made lots of new friends and again congratulations to scot on bringing this exciting bowls tournament to the world of bowls, it can only get bigger and better and I look forward to again returning to Sabah to experience this wonderful destination.
John Green, Taren Point Bowling Club & 2010 Participant
I would like to pass onto you and your staff about to marvellous time we had at your Borneo 2010 Lawn Bowls Cup. The people were so friendly and welcoming it was unbelievable. The hotel accommodation and Malaysian food was first class.
The bowls stadium was great and the whole tour was extremely well organized during our stay. I will and have recommended this trip to many friends. Your help in planning our extended stay was great and many thanks for you and your wife in transporting us to and from various places many times.
Paul Wintrip, Kew Heights Bowling Club & 2010 Participant
Play in a quality bowls tournament against people from all around the globe. A great way to meet fellow bowlers and make lasting friendships with the warm and welcoming locals, whilst visiting a beautiful and exotic country. Everything from the hotels , food , tourist activities , bowls complex and tournament were top notch.
