Things often get a bit rowdy on Tuesday afternoons at the Bruce II Sports Centre's bowling alley during the winter months.
Members of the Tuesday Afternoon Senior Ladies League gather together for a few hours of knocking down pins.
Six teams of six play for the fun of the game. Each team is named after one of the local ferries that once served the southwest coast.
The league recently wrapped up its 2009-2010 season with a three-week playoff tournament, which was won by Team Annie Cody. Claudine Matthews, Myrtle Strangemore, Gertie Pink, Irene Billard, Lorraine Anderson and Cindy Billard made up the winning team.
The award for most wins throughout the entire season went to Team Sir Robert Bond, made up of Edith Coffin, Kay Mercer, Muriel Hewlin, Phoebe Payne, Phyllis Francis and Pat Ritchie.
Loretta Skeard has the distinction of being one of the most senior players on the league.
"Nobody seems to notice if you're old or young. You just bowl and enjoy yourself and that's the fun of it," she said.
Mrs. Skeard has been bowling since lanes opened at the original Bruce II Arena. She said her scores used to be better but she still comes out for the pure fun of it.
Aneitha Sheaves says she can remember the origins of the Tuesday afternoon ladies league at the former Bruce II Arena.
"It started out as just a ladies league, but we've been together so long most of us are seniors now," she said.
Mrs. Sheaves said she would recommend the league to anyone. She believes bowling is good exercise without being too rigorous.
"I have a back problem but it's just the type of gentle exercise I need," said Mrs. Sheaves. "It's two and a half hours of getting up, walking to the approach and throwing the ball - it's a gentle exercise that doesn't put any strain on your joints or muscles."
Of course in between turns, there's a lot of talking and joking. Coffee and tea are always part of the afternoon.
Faye Coffin, the bowling alley manager, said the players range in age from their 50s to their 80s. The average age of almost all the teams is above 70 years old.
Mrs. Coffin would like to see more people come out for the league next year. She is hoping ladies who recently retired or who are free on Tuesday afternoons will come out and develop a love for the game.
reporter@gulfnews.ca
Ladies bowling league looks to recruit
Aneitha Sheaves says bowling is a great low-impact exercise.
-
Published on
May 3, 2010
- Published on June 28, 2010
-
Brodie Thomas
Things often get a bit rowdy on Tuesday afternoons at the Bruce II Sports Centre's bowling alley during the winter months.
Members of the Tuesday Afternoon Senior Ladies League gather together for a few hours of knocking down pins.
- Rate
- Top of the page
