Many of you will remember my partner, Richard Rombouts, as one of the friendly faces from the Bangalow Newsagency – an icon of the village, which sadly, no longer exists.
When I first met him 25 years ago much of his spare time was taken up with soccer – he was a force to be reckoned with when he was barrelling in to steal the ball from you (I used to avert my eyes). After several years, several broken bones and many chiropractic sessions I suggested that his soccer days might be nearing an end. About the same time a certain postmaster Mr Gerry Swain was attempting to coerce him to join the Bangalow Men’s Bowling Club. Eventually, after a few friendly barefoot bowls events and more coercion he relented and started playing lawn bowls. Not only did he discover that he enjoyed the game; he soon learned that he was quite good at it.
In April 2025, he became a dual gold medal winner in the NSW State Championships held over the course of three weeks at the Ballina Cherry Street Bowling Club – a nightmare for organisers because it rained almost nonstop. But these aren’t the only medals in his chest so I sat him down to discuss all things “Bowls”.
How did you move from playing in your local club to outside competitions?
Competitions start within the club for the annual singles, pairs, triples, fours champions. Then you progress to regional championships where our club competes against others in those same disciplines plus an annual Pennants competition. At a regional level I met my future pairs partner, Damien Delgado, when he and I had to face-off for the regional singles title (able-bodied). Damien is currently a member of the Australian Disability Squad (he is wheelchair bound) but back in 2017 he suggested that we team up for the Queensland State Disability Championship where we won a silver medal in the pairs. We went on to win bronze and silver medals in 2018 and 2019 and in 2019 also won a silver medal in the Australian Open.
Winning a gold medal for the Reserves Singles title this year has been extra sweet for me. My current pairs partner, John Gibson, and I were really pleased to win the gold in our Pairs final because we were up against last year’s Pairs Champions, one of whom is a current Australian Jackaroo representative.
What is the biggest challenge you face as a player with a disability?
I was born with my disability. My mother was prescribed the thalidomide drug when she was pregnant. It was meant to reduce the effects of morning-sickness but unfortunately resulted in a world-wide tragedy in the countries which ignored the knowledge that there had been no testing on animals to support its safety. Having been like this all my life, I think, gives me a bit of an advantage over a player who is disabled through injury. The biggest difficulty for me with bowls is getting a grip on the bowl because I don’t have properly formed fingers. But the weather at the recent State Championship added another level of difficulty because the bowls were wet and slippery.
Author’s note: Both of Richard’s finals were exciting matches to watch and both were decided in the final end. I was allowed to assist in the capacity of official bowl dryer.
Is a win for Richard Rombouts a win for the Bangalow Bowling Club?
Yes it is. While I am super pleased at a personal level to have won two gold medals, I also recognise that my Bangalow club mates helped me to get here. They have pushed me to improve and have been really supportive and encouraging.
Are there other things you have become involved in as a Bangalow lawn bowler?
Presently I am the Club bowls coordinator responsible for organising club championship games as well as social bowls on a Wednesday and Saturday. I try to compete in all the regional championships and encourage other club members to join in. I’m a qualified marker for Bowls Australia and I have recently qualified as a Bowls Australia club coach.
It sounds like it is all-consuming Richard?
Well, no one would know that better than you Carolyn! But, the truth is that some people in the club are happy to have a roll-up on a Wednesday afternoon whereas, for me, the game appeals to my competitive nature.
Postscript: The thalidomide epidemic prompted a global reckoning around drug safety and regulation. In Australia, it contributed to the eventual development of stricter drug approval processes, culminating in the formation of the Therapeutic Goods Administration in 1989.
Carolyn Adams