Bryanston Sports Club are proud to have Prince Neluonde, a club member and barman, represent South Africa at the Birmingham Commonwealth bowls in July 2022. He won a Gold Medal as a member of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth games.
Prince’s bowls journey started fifteen years ago in 2007, when at the age of twenty-three, Bryanston Sports Club employed him to assist his father, Benneth, who was the club greenkeeper at that time. He began playing bowls in his ‘off’ time and soon became a member of the club’s first team. In 2011, four years after starting bowls, he was selected as the lead for the Johannesburg Bowls Association representative team. He first appearance in the Protea squad was in 2013 Namibia in Pretoria.
In response to the question: “When you started playing bowls, in 2007, did you realise, that one day you would represent South Africa and travel the world”? He responded: “I had an ambition of doing well but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be selected to represent my country and have the opportunity to visit so many parts of the world!” Prince thanked the many club members and JBA officials who have supported and helped him along his journey.
Prince’s tale reads like a fairy story. In addition to attending two Commonwealth games, Prince has represented South Africa at international competitions when he had the opportunity to ‘See the world.’ His travels have taken him to Scotland (2014), Cyprus (2015), Hong Kong (2017). Wales (2018 & 2019), Australia (2019). He has also traveled extensively in Africa visiting Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Kenya.
Sipho Velempini, president of the bowls section of Bryanston Sports Club commented: “On behalf of all members, we wish Prince every success at the Commonwealth games. Prince is a role model to young people from all societies. His achievements and amazing successes are an inspiration and proof that bowls offers more opportunities for personal growth than most other sports.”