Lauder’s Pam Walker had to pinch herself during the “most amazing” time at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, where she was a part of a para-bowling NZ women’s pair. 

Pam said there were several highlights, including being in the village with all the athletes from across the world; meeting the Governor General; watching the Kiwi bowls teams win three bronze medals; and seeing the lesser known bowls countries such as India, Botswana and Singapore “really shine and work hard”.

On the day Pam and husband Bruce arrived, July 17,  England was in the grip of a heatwave and it was 40 degrees.

“It was like walking into an oven.”

It wasn't all smooth sailing for Pam as her para bowling partner from Te Awamutu, Lynda Bennett, caught Covid-19 and couldn’t fly out with the rest of the Kiwi team.

“We only got together four days before the games… one of the coaches got it too and was late coming.”

The Walkers have so far managed to avoid the virus. Pam said the New Zealand team was strict with protocols and well looked after in the village. 

Despite being “a bit unlucky” in terms of their results Pam said they did actually play quite well.

“We lost two games on the last end, and one of these was to the gold medal winners Scotland.

“The greens were running a little bit faster than what we thought… the greens were immaculate and absolutely stunning,” Pam said.

Surprisingly, at the bowling venue in Leamington Spa, there had been no rain for two months resulting in quicker greens and a “challenge for everyone” bowling in the games. 

Pam said days of bowling were long days, with four rounds a day of games. The Kiwis were a 25 minute bus ride from the bowling venue, sometimes getting up at 6am and not returning back to the village until after 9pm, if they were in the evening round.

Pam, games mascot Perry the bull and Lynda

Husband and coach Bruce was by Pam’s side in Birmingham

After Birmingham Pam and Bruce experienced a few tourist hot spots for a well earned break; Edinburgh, London, Paris and Singapore.

The pair didn’t put their feet up though, walking around 16,000 steps a day sightseeing was certainly good for fitness Pam told the The Central App. 

This weekend Pam is competing in the North-South challenge in Dunedin where a team of eight people (consisting of four men, four women, one who must be over 65 and one under 25 years old) face representatives from the other island.

The challenge, which hasn’t been held for the past couple of years, will take place indoors at Dunedin Lawn Bowls Stadium. It includes singles, pairs, triples and fours, with spectator viewing being a key factor in the planning with two games on at a time. 

Read about Pam’s earlier selection for the Commonwealth Games team here.

Check out another local athlete's experience at the games here.