A FORMER teacher whose career was ended when he went blind 18 years ago is to represent his country after overcoming his disability to become a bowls champion.
Chris Turnbull, from Scarborough Indoor Bowls Club, was a junior school PE teacher for 26 years until he was registered blind in 1990. Now he has beaten other disabled bowlers to secure a place in the England and Wales team in the World Blind Bowls C
hampionship.
The competition will be held in Melbourne in April and Mr Turnbull now faces the challenge of raising £5,000 so he and a carer can make the trip.
Mr Turnbull, who was National Visually Impaired Singles Champion in 2006, secured his place by beating four other contenders in a round robin tournament with national winners from 2005 to 2008.
His first victory was against Keith Brenton from Newcastle, the reigning world champion.
He then saw off Henry Edwards from Preston, the 2008 national winner.
Next to go was UK champion Steve Simmonds from London followed by Eric Shackleford, the national champion in 2005.
Mr Turnbull said: "I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to represent England in the world championship next year. Now there is only the money to find.
"As the English National Association of Visually Handicapped Bowlers receives no funding at all, I estimate that the total costs for my helper and me will be in the region of £5,000. "
Although bowls may be regarded as a visual sport much of the skill is in the bowling action, so blind players can perform just as well if they are told where to aim.
Always a keen sportsman, Mr Turnbull only took up bowls in 1996 and finds it is one of the few games in which he can compete on an equal basis with sighted players.
If anyone or company can help Mr Turnbull in his quest to raise the money to represent England, he can be contacted on 01723 518448.
