Thanks to everybody who attended and made The Rockets Invitational a success.
And congratulations to these Rockets who pulled in a serious medal haul:
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Saturday, June 20, 2026
NATIONALS 2026 – SUNSHINE COAST QLD
On Thursday, 4th June, some of The Rockets left for sunny Queensland (some drove up earlier) to attend the 37th National Tenpin Bowling Championship for Persons with a Disability, which was held at Suncity Tenpin Alexandra Headlands.
We flew into Brisbane and drove 104 km to the Sunshine Coast as this airport does not cater for 25-seater buses.
Our accommodation was at the beautiful Novotel Twin Waters resort, about 15 minutes from the bowling alley.
Wildlife was abundant!
As were the areas to relax!
Friday 5th June saw us bowl a Singles and Doubles.
Due to the alley's smaller size, bowling took longer than expected. We travelled to the Events Centre in Caloundra for a pre-show dinner, then attended the “Dolly I Love You” show. Much foot tapping and singing along occurred.
Saturday 6th, we bowled later due to the Opening Ceremony at the Alley. Lesley, along with some other volunteers, was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of valuable contributions to the sport of Tenpin Bowling in the International Volunteer Year.
Sunday 7th was our first and only full day of bowling – 3 series. Very tiring for the bowlers (and parents). We started at 8.00am and got out of the alley at about 5.00pm – long day.
Monday 8th was our “free day”. It had been raining the previous night, so we thought our entertainment options might “go down the drain”. However, Lesley assured us that she had spoken to “higher authorities” (fingers crossed) and it would clear!
Miracle – we woke up Monday morning and it was cloudy but no rain. We travelled to Australia Zoo and the sun came out. We saw the tiger show, many animals and witnessed the crocodile show at the World Famous Crocoseum. Lunch was at the Crikey Café before we headed back to the accommodation.
Tuesday the 9th was once again wet.
We bowled a Singles and Doubles with plans for the evening in doubt.
We had a 1-hour Sunset Canal Cruise booked, and just as we arrived, the sun came out. We cruised up and down the waterway, spotting multimillion-dollar properties, and even saw the Irwin residence with their boat, Croc One, parked out front. Our Celebration Dinner was next to the canal overlooking the water.
Wednesday 10th saw us back in Sydney.
As for the bowling, there were some great results and congratulations to all the bowlers.
Each bowler's top score is listed below:
Candice – 133
Dom – 107
Emma C – 157
Emma M – 176 and scored a turkey
Lauren – 149
Natham – 204 and scored a turkey
Tim - 180
WELL DONE ROCKETS
Sunday, September 14, 2025
THANK YOU BENDIGO BANK - GALSTON
Many thanks to Bendigo Bank Galston for their sponsorship for assisting The Rockets to attend the 2026 National Championships for Persons with a Disability in Suncity, Queensland.
Without this support, many of our bowlers would not be able to attend competitions.
THANK YOU BENDIGO BANK GALSTON.
Sunday, July 7, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS LAUREN
Lauren just missed out on a medal in B Grade All Events, where she came 4th.
Emma Matthews also bowled well, coming 5th in B Grade Singles.
WELL DONE, ALL ROCKETS BOWLERS--YOU'VE MADE US PROUD.
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Canberra Nationals 2024
On Tuesday, 4th June, 19 people ventured to Canberra to participate in the National Championships.
The bowlers were off to a slow start, understandably so, seeing as they had not bowled since April, but then they picked up the pace.
And it was cold.
On Wednesday, Candice bowled a series of 18 pins over average.
Thursday saw Lauren bowl 28 over, Tim – 25, Emma M – 24, Natham – 19.
On Friday, Amy bowled 18 over, Lauren 18, Gerry 16, Natham 15, with a turkey in a game of 160, and Tim scored a turkey in a game of 122. Seeing we had a long break between squads, we visited Questacon, and some of us went for a long walk to stretch our legs.
On Saturday, we had a later start, so members had a sleep-in except for those who went to the spa and went for a walk.
Scores are as follows: Lauren was 44 pins over average, including a turkey, in a game of 163; Emma M was 16 over; Natham was 15 over with a turkey in a game of 165; and Adam had a turkey in a game of 188.
Overall, our bowlers did very well and now looking forward to visiting Perth in 2025.
Monday, March 18, 2024
Illawarra Star Strikers Challenge
Hi there, everybody.
On Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th of March 2024, Adam, Amy, Candice, Emma C, Emma M, Patrick and Tim ventured down to Warilla to play in the Illawarra Star Strikers Challenge.
In the Singles, Emma M scored 21 pins over average for the series, Adam 20 pins over and Amy 20 pins over.
Emma M scored 21 pins over average in the Doubles for the series.
In the Teams, Adam scored 31 pins over average for the series with a turkey in a game of 213, Adam again scored 25 pins over with a turkey in a game of 195, and Amy scored 15 pins over with a turkey in a game of 158.
FINAL RESULTS
FEMALE ALL EVENTS
B Grade – 1st Emma Matthews
2nd Amy McFadden
C Grade – 2nd Candice Lundie
FEMALE SINGLES
B Grade – 1st Emma Matthews
2nd Amy McFadden
3rd Emma Matthews
CLEAN SWEEP!!!
MALE ALL EVENTS
A Grade – 1st Adam Mandarano
C Grade – 3rd Tim Wilson
MALE SINGLES
A Grade – 1st Adam Mandarano
2nd Adam Mandarano
MIXED DOUBLES
B Grade – 3rd Emma Matthews, Kyle Rauch (Illawarra)
MIXED TEAMS
B Grade – 1st Emma Matthews, Michael Parkes (Illawarra), Chris Parkes (Illawarra)
3rd Amy McFadden, Emma Matthews, Michael Parkes (Illawarra)
Well done, everyone; awards will be presented when next at Rooty Hill.
Monday, December 4, 2023
2013 Rockets Presentation Evening
Saturday, 25th November 2023, saw The Rockets wine and dine at Magpies Waitara for their Presentation Evening.
The menu comprised roast pork and crackling, satay chicken, honey mustard beef, vegetable and salad dishes and finished off with pavlova and profiteroles.
The bowlers had a wonderful time dressing up in hats, glasses, and hula skirts (thanks, Lucy, for the outfits) for the photo booth and sang along with the jukebox and karaoke.
Bowlers were presented with their trophies and a Bowlers Survival Kit, which comprised a grip sack, chocolate bar, body freshener, workout towel and a gift card enclosed in a handmade “purse” (thanks, Jo).
The parents did not miss out this year – they were presented with a Parents Survival Kit with many amusing items.
The 2024 Committee was presented, and the Clark Award was won by Amy, with Natham second and Lauren third. All positions were tightly contested, some bowlers only separated by a point or two.
The Committee would like to wish all our Members a very Happy Christmas and a safe New Year.
See you in January 2024.
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Orange Disability Results
Yeah, we got medals...
ORANGE CITY DISABILITY CHAMPIONSHIPS – 14th October 2023
Congratulations to Emma M, who obtained 3rd place in B Grade Female Singles and B Grade Female All Events and to Adam, who achieved 1st place in Classic Singles and 2nd in Classic All Events.
The Rockets bowled exceptionally well despite a very difficult lane draw and placement!
Well Done!
"If everybody had an ocean Across the U.S.A."
On Friday, 20th October, 20 members attended The Australian Beach Boys Tribute Show at Hornsby RSL.
A great night was had by all, singing and dancing, as these pictures prove:
(Rockets on RHS of the above photo)
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Orange City Disability Campionship
On Saturday, 14th October 2023, Adam, Candice, Dom, Elizabeth, Emma M, Lauren, Natham and Tim travelled to Orange to compete in the Orange City Disability Championships.
After an extremely long day of bowling:
- Adam was 37 pins over average in singles, with a turkey in a game of 204 and a 4-bagger in a game of 216.
- In Doubles, Emma M scored a turkey in a game of 167.
Friday, September 8, 2023
The Rockets at the Invitational
We had our Annual Invitational and the Rockets didn't do too badly...
ALL EVENTS
Female B Grade – Emma Matthews – 1st
Emma Crompton – 2nd
Lauren Kerjan – 3rd
Female C Grade – Candice Lundie – 1st
Male B Grade - Gerry McNally – 3rd
Male D Grade – Dom Costa – 1st
SINGLES
Female B Grade – Emma Crompton – 1st
Emma Matthews – 2nd
Amy McFadden – 3rd
Female C Grade – Elizabeth Gosson – 2nd
Candice Lundie – 3rd
Male A Grade – Adam Mandarano – 2nd
DOUBLES
Open – Adam Mandarano (with Mitch Meares who had a vacant score) – 2nd
A Grade – Adam Mandarano and Emma Matthews – 1st
B Grade – Gerry McNally and (Michael Parkes) – 3rd
C Grade – Elizabeth Gosson and Candice Lundie – 2nd
Amy McFadden and Dom Costs – 3rd
TEAMS
A Grade – Natham Constable, Adam Mandarano and (Chris Parkes) – 1st
Adam Mandarano, Gerry McNally and Emma Matthews – 2nd
C Grade – Dom Costa, Tim Wilson and Candice Lundie – 1st
Candice Lundie, Elizabeth Gosson and Dom Costa – 3rd
Well done to all the bowlers, and thanks to everyone who travelled to visit us.
Sunday, June 18, 2023
National Disability Championship - Adelaide 2023
NATIONAL DISABILITY CHAMPIONSHIPS – ADELAIDE 2023
On Saturday 10th June 2023, Dom (Rose), Emma C (Ron), Emma M (Christine), Gerry, Lauren (Peet and Marianne), Natham (Lesley), Tim (Denis), Lucy and Tony travelled to Adelaide to attend the 2023 National Disability Championships.
372 bowlers from all over Australia attended this competition, which makes it very hard to win medals or trophies.
Sunday 11th was our first day at the alley and the bowlers needed time to adjust to the lanes but we did have some great scores:
Dom bowled 24 over average, then another of 18 over average.
Natham had a turkey in a game of 155.
Emma M scored a 4 bagger in a 177 game.
Lauren scored a turkey in a game of 145
However, on Monday 12th, we had some amazing scores:
Dom once again scored a 24 over average and a 29 over, Emma M was 20 over, Natham had a turkey in a game of 182.
Tuesday 13th, was a bit up and down but our bowlers (and hopefully parents) are enjoying themselves:
Emma C scored 23 over average, Natham 18 over, Gerry 17 over, Dom 25 over whilst Emma M scored 22 over average.
Wednesday 14th was a sightseeing day. We all had a well-deserved sleep in before we travelled down south to Victor Harbor to go on a Big Duck Cruise (Southern Ocean Adventure) before a lovely lunch at Nino’s.
Three lucky ladies (Marianne, Lucy and Lesley) then ventured to the Michael Buble concert at the Entertainment Centre – they were crooning all night and the next day!
Thursday 15th we were back to bowling. Some great scores from our bowlers. Dom, once again dominated with a 16, 23 and 17 over average. Emma C had a 28 over average, Emma M 20 over, Lauren 20 and a 7 over, Natham a 12 and a 5 over and Tim had a 23 over average. Well done bowlers. Today was Peet Kerjan’s birthday so we visited the South Australian Cruising Yacht Club – (seeing Peet is a “boat person”), to have dinner and Peet was given a Cheesecake (his favourite) to celebrate. The food was delicious.
Friday 16th, sightseeing day. We headed off to the German Arms for lunch before have some “down time” in Hahndorf. Visited the Beerenberg Farm to purchase items before we headed back to the accommodation. Dinner was at the Elephant and Castle Hotel, a quick 3-minute walk down the street.
Saturday 17th, we were back at the alley for the Presentations. Dom received 2nd E Grade All Events and 2nd (and 3rd) in E Grade Singles whilst Emma C received 2nd in B Grade Singles. Free afternoon (cold, wet and windy) to pack before our Celebration Dinner at our accommodation.
Sunday 18th time to go home!
Thanks to everyone who assisted with the journey and to The Rocket Bowlers – you are amazing!
See you in Tuggeranong next year.
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Australian Record!
On Monday 27th March 2023 at Shoalhaven City Bowling Alley, Karina Peters – an “old” Rockets member and Holly Levers attempted to set an Australian Record (not Guinness Book of Records), for a Ladies Disability Duo – Highest Pinfall of String Pins in 2 hours”.
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| Photo from South Coast Register |
All looks good for the ladies to set this record, they are just waiting to hear back from TABOR for acceptance.
Well done girls.
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