Bowls title holder, manager - and columnist

Kamo's Gwen Lawson has added writing a weekly bowls column for the Northern Advocate to her growing list of things to do.
Already busy administering the sport she has enjoyed for 34 seasons, the Whangarei-born and bred Lawson willingly took over the role which Gary Houlihan fulfilled for many years.
Houlihan recently left Whangarei and Lawson saw the need for the bowls column to
continue.
Lawson has claimed 11 centre titles and two centre gold stars in past seasons, but she has focused more on the administration side in 2009 due to an ankle reconstruction earlier this year.
"I'm hoping to be able to get back on the green in six months," she said.
"I have a moon-boot on now instead of a cast ... while I can't play, it doesn't stop me getting involved in the administration side of things."
Lawson started playing bowls at Hikurangi Bowls Club aged 37, and was made a life member there.
"I had played indoor bowls since I was 14 and it seemed like a natural progression to go from one to the other," she said.
The sprightly Lawson is currently the Northland centre match convener, as well as the centre selector for the women's representative teams, the manager/coach for the centre 1-5 years women's representative team and the secretary/treasurer of the Hikurangi Club.
Northland centre's 2009/2010 season opened on Saturday, while clubs in the area were kickstarting their new playing year during September, Lawson said.
After the 2008/2009 season drew to a close in May, Lawson did not really get a break as she had to organise the club and centre's new programme, she said.
However, Lawson thrived on being busy and giving back to the sport which she has enjoyed for so many years, and encouraged new players.
"The best thing about bowls is that it is enjoyable, it's fun and great for meeting all kinds of people.
"It's very social and you don't play on your own," she said.
Gwen Lawson's weekly bowls column will be in the Northern Advocate every Thursday.