Nola Calls Time On Memorable Career
This weekend we will celebrate all the mothers within our local sporting community.
From Murrurundi to Pokolbin it is hard to find a local club without that go-to motherly figure at the helm while recent school sports events have once again proven how blessed our student athletes are to have parents volunteer at carnivals.
We also have the mothers and grandmothers who have made a name for themselves on the field.
Nola Bates has recently called time on a memorable 32-year career with the Singleton Women’s Bowls Club.
After watching her older sister Theresa enjoy the game, Nola entered the world of Lawn Bowls in June 1989 and never looked back.
“I have loved my Bowls throughout and I have met some lovely bowlers along the way,” she told The Hunter River Times.
“It is a sport that everybody can play and people are always welcome to play.”
Originally from Morpeth, Nola called Singleton home when she married her late husband Harry Bates on October 26, 1958.
Three decades later she joined forces with the members of the Women’s Bowls Club and won countless awards right from her first Mixed Fours title in 1990.
As her career went on, she travelled as far as Sydney and Adelaide to represent her side.
“I would say the District Fours were always good,” she smiled.
“There were a lot of runners up as well but that goes with it; you can’t win them all.
“Every time you play Bowls, you’re always improving, and I improved because I had good partners.”
In late 2019, Nola and her teammate Gwen Lambkin were named as life members of the club.
Only Beryl Knodler and Dorothy Russell had received the honour prior.
“It was lovely of them to make me a life member,” she added.
Nola played her final game on Thursday, April 22 before celebrating her 84th birthday two days later.
We wish her all the best in her retirement from the game and hope she has a happy Mother’s Day this Sunday.