Bowling: Doing it for the boys

Emu Point Bowling Club and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia have joined forces to raise awareness about prostate cancer this week.

Football legends and prostate cancer survivors Haydn Bunton Jr and Wally Martin will give the cause a kick-along.

The foundation is sponsoring the Emu Point Classic for the first time, attracting teams from across the State. With 130 competitors, the foundation thought the tournament was a great way to reach men from outlying regional areas.

Albany prostate cancer support group president Karen Rendell said men tended to avoid talking about the disease, but it was important for those in rural areas to be informed about their health and to be proactive in seeking help.

“Farmers won’t get off a tractor to go to the doctor, but they know when it’s time to head to the bowls club,” Ms Rendell said.

“If we can get them out to play bowls, and combine bowls with a bit of cancer education then this might save their life.”

Haydn Mr Bunton Jr and Mr Martin were special guests at day one of the event on Tuesday, mingling with competitors and talking about their experience with prostate cancer.

Albany cancer survivor Barry Rendell said the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s sponsorship was a big help in raising awareness. “We don’t like to browbeat the men – you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink,” he said.

“A lot of men don’t like to talk about it, but of the fellows that are here, some have similar problems and lots of different experiences and treatments. It really helps to talk about those experiences together.”

Mr Rendell hoped the foundation would continue its sponsorship of the classic next year.

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