A young man from Bellville who started playing bowls a mere five years ago, has just been crowned the new Western Province (WP) Bowls u-18 Masters Champion.
Teenager Thando Mraji (15), a member of the Bellville Bowls Club, started playing bowls at the age of 10 years after moving in with his stepfather, Alfred Mraji, the club’s greens man. He achieved his WP u-18 colours two years ago.
Thando, a Grade 9 learner at The Settlers High School, competed in the Inter-districts in Bloemfontein from 29 March to 1 April earlier this year, where he and his team won gold.
His team for the Inter-districts was Divan Launcher, Mattys van Tonder, Wilmien Smuts and himself.
He played at the WP Masters tournament at the Durbanville Bowls Club on Saturday 28 June and Sunday 29 June where he won all of his games. He attended the gala event the Saturday evening to accept his trophy for this victory, and on Sunday won the Masters u-18.
He told TygerBurger last week that he is still in shock about winning the WP Masters at 15 years of age, but that he is very happy about it.
“I really appreciate everyone who took time off their day to come and support me at the tournament,” he says.
Minette Nel, a fellow member and former secretary and president of the club, says Alfred introduced his family to the sport and that they are all playing well. Alfred has been working on the greens for the past 21 years.
Thando is currently also our reigning Open-division club champion, which means that he played against excellent senior players and won all of his matches, Nel says.
The Bellville Bowls Club celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.
“We truly believe that Thando will soon be invited to play for Bowls South Africa,” says Nel.
