WHEN he started playing lawn bowls at the age of 11, Aron Sherriff couldn’t have dreamt of the success he would achieve in a sport that started off as just a hobby.
But in the past 20 years, he has progressed to contest three world championships, is likely to compete at his third Commonwealth Games next year, and just as importantly, he met his wife Amanda through lawn bowls.
“I didn’t know anything about lawn bowls to start with – it was just something Dad did with his mates at Halekulani (Bowling Club),” the Cooranbong resident said.
“I used to go down on Saturdays after playing soccer or cricket and coach George Dawes asked if I wanted to have a go.”
Sherriff started his playing career at Halekulani before moving clubs to Ettalong in recent years.
While Ms Sherriff grew up in Sydney, her mother came to play at Halekulani and that was how the pair met.
The couple has two children, Zoe, a keen athlete, and Connor who Sherriff described as a “funny little bugger” who loves Dad’s “massive” trophies.
Sherriff’s achievements will be recognised at the 25th annual Prestige Fours pre-tournament dinner at Ettalong Bowling Club on Tuesday night.
As it stands, 31-year-old Sherriff is the equal fourth most-capped Australian male – behind Steve Glasson, Kelvin Kerkow and Rex Johnson – and the only one still playing.
He would love to become the most capped Australian lawn bowls men’s representative in history.
And that dream is not beyond the realms of possibility for the Commonwealth Games medallist, who has clocked up 293 games for his country since his national debut 10 years ago.
However, with his lawn bowls commitments meaning he is often away from his family, he is looking to restructure his schedule.
“For me it’s about time-management and having the lawn bowls/family balance,” Sherriff said.
“It will be about picking and choosing what I prioritise as important events.”
Sherriff strengthened his bid to reach a third straight Commonwealth Games by winning the Golden Nugget Singles Classic last Friday.
It was his first win in eight attempts at the prestigious invitation-only tournament.
With Trans Tasman selection imminent and Commonwealth Games selection likely to be soon after the Trans Tasman titles in November, Sherriff will be out to impress as part of an Australian squad contesting Ettalong’s Prestige Fours from August 16-18.
Leave a Reply