Browns Bay bowler wins for courage in sport

December 4, 2014

Browns Bay bowler wins for courage in sport

Matthew Weir’s determination to participate in the sport he loves – lawn bowls – has earned him respect on and off the bowling greens.

Last night Matt (43) won the Courage In Sport Award at the national Attitude Awards on World Disability Day.

In their seventh year, the Awards celebrate the excellence and achievements of Kiwis living with a disability. This year’s winners (full list of winners below) were announced at a black tie gala held at Auckland’s Viaduct Event Centre on December 3 and hosted by TV news presenter Simon Dallow.

The Awards have grown out of the Attitude TV series, which screens on TV ONE on Sunday mornings at 8:30pm. The overall Attitude ACC Supreme Award was taken out by champion Paralympic swimmer Mary Fisher (21).

Attitude Awards Trustee Dan Buckingham, a member of the elite national wheelchair rugby team the Wheel Blacks, says the Awards are about raising expectations around what is achievable for people living with disabilities.

“Last night we celebrated winners across a range of categories, but really the aim of the Awards is to change peoples’ perceptions about this broad and diverse sector of society. So in that sense, all 24 finalists are winners and fantastic role models,” he said.

Born with Spina Bifida, participating in any form of physical activity can be painful for Matt. As a teenager he took part in wheelchair racing and weightlifting, but his back pain eventually curtailed his involvement in sports – until he discovered lawn bowls.

But participating in the sport wasn’t without its challenges. The wheels of Matt’s chair were deemed too narrow to play on the greens at most clubs, for fear of damaging the playing surface, and a manufactured bowling chair wasn’t suitable either.

Fortunately Matt’s club in Browns Bay was supportive and allowed him to play in his non-regulation chair until he finally found an acceptable set of ‘clip on’ wheels. Matt was then able to compete outside of his own club and be part of winning pairs and triples teams on many occasions.

Matt’s award is testament to his positivity. The Courage In Sport Award category is sponsored by Westpac. Sue Foley, Director Corporate Affairs, says Westpac is proud to help honour and recognise his achievements.

“Matt's courage and determination are truly admirable and his can-do attitude, especially on the bowling green, is an inspiration to us all.”

Other Attitude Award winners are Craig Jessop (Spirit of Attitude), Lyn Cotton (Making A Difference), Corey Peters (Sport Performer of the Year), Mary Fisher (Youth and ACC Supreme Award), Paul Barrett (Artistic Achievement), Selwyn Cook, SSC Service Stations (ACC Employer Award) and Muskan Devta (Junior). John Baldwin Munro was inducted in the Attitude Hall of Fame and Jess Quinn took home the People’s Choice Award.

Chief Executive of ACC Scott Pickering says ACC is proud to be principal sponsor of the Awards for the seventh year running, including sponsorship of the Attitude ACC Employer Award and the Attitude ACC Supreme Award.

“Congratulations to all the 2014 Attitude Awards winners. They are high achievers and their determination and spirit is inspirational.”

Other sponsors supporting the Awards include: Invacare, Barfoot & Thompson, IHC Foundation, Drake Medox, Ministry of Health, Air New Zealand, Wayne Francis Charitable Trust and The Lion Foundation.

For all the latest on the Awards and the Attitude Programme:

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Full list of winners and locations:

Attitude ACC Supreme Award and Attitude Youth Award
Mary Fisher - Wellington

Attitude Courage in Sport Award
Matthew Weir - Auckland

Spirit of Attitude Award
Craig Jessop - Whangarei

Attitude Making A Difference Award
Lyn Cotton - Christchurch

Attitude Artistic Achievement Award
Paul Barrett – Auckland

Attitude Sport Performer of the Year Award
Corey Peters - New Plymouth

Attitude ACC Employer Award
Selwyn Cook, SSC Service Stations (licensed retailer for Z Energy, Waikato) - Hamilton

Attitude Junior Award
Muskan Devta - Auckland

Attitude Hall of Fame Award
JB Munro - Mosgiel

Attitude People’s Choice Award
Jess Quinn – Auckland

ENDS

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