In 1992 at the ATBC National
Championships in Gosford, a meeting was held
at which a number of senior bowlers decided
to form an organisation called the Australian
Tenpin Bowling Seniors Organisation that catered
for bowlers 45 years and over. Today this organisation
is now known to all senior bowlers as the A.T.B.S.O.
or as we are proud to be called "The Seniors".
It was decided at the formation meeting to hold
an Interstate Challenge series every year between
all the States and Territories in a similar
format to that of the Rachuig Trophy.
Thanks to this original group
of bowlers and their forward thinking ideas,
the birth of "The Seniors" organisation
was created. In 1993 the ATBSO held the inaugural
Interstate Challenge at Norwood Bowl in South
Australia. Thanks to people like Marion Smith
from South Australia "The Seniors"
Challenge was an instant success. The Bowlers
competing in the inaugural challenge also set
the standard for the future of challenges, their
Friendship and Sportsmanship displayed in a
highly competitive environment was something
to be seen to believe. This spirit has been
carried forward to every challenge since and
makes the A.T.B.S.O. Interstate Challenge the
envy of the bowling world.
Since the first meeting in
1992 "The Seniors" organisation has
become the most successful bowling organisation
in Australia. The Challenge continues to go
from strength to strength. The Annual dinner
held after the Challenge each year has become
the benchmark for bowling gatherings in Australia.
Now bowlers from other Associations and Organisations
can only look at "The Seniors" with
envy and look forward to the day when they turn
45 and can join in the fun!! |