Opportunity knocks for Webbcona’s Matt Blackburn
Webbcona’s Matt Blackburn got into bowls around 12 years of age and when the time came to decide between cricket or bowls, it was the latter that got the nod.
“I had a try of lawn bowls while I was at school and thought it would be a good game to play with dad as he was playing at the time,” Matt said.
“Eventually came a time when I had to decide to play cricket or bowls and after a couple of attempts decided to stick with bowls.”
“I felt there were more opportunities for me in the game of bowls and good opportunity to play with some really good mates and family.”
Matt’s primary club is Webbcona, although he plays Saturday pennant on permit with Fitzroy-Victoria in Metro Pennant Weekend Division 1 in Melbourne.
The move to playing bowls in Melboure came about after Matt answered a Facebook ad looking for players.
“I saw a post in a bowls page on Facebook that Fitzroy-Victoria were looking for players as a junior,” Matt said.
“They were such a strong team, so I just messaged and asked if the club was going okay and the rest is history really.”
“I agreed to give it a go and I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to try something different and meet new people and it’s the best move I’ve made.”
Matt returned from Melbourne to Ballarat for the 21-22 season to play with Webbcona and was part of their victorious Saturday Premier title win over Sebastopol.
The club hit the finals full of momentum and carried it through to the last bowl of the season, scoring a 15-1 win in the grand final.
“Winning the grand final for Webbcona was an amazing experience,” Matt said.
“To be outside the top four going into the last game, then knocking off Victoria in the last game to make it to the top four was unreal.”
“I remember saying to the group if we win today and get in, we can really do some damage and win a grand final and really believed it, and everyone else got on board as well.”
“One of the best feelings winning a premiership with such an awesome group and such good friends.”
Webbcona celebrating 21-22 BHBR Ballarat Premiers title win
Following the Webbcona flag in 21-22, Matt headed back down to play in Melbourne again, and we asked him to compare the difference between playing pennant in Melbourne compared to Ballarat.
“The difference between Melbourne and Ballarat I believe is the consistency,” Matt said.
“You rarely get two shots and any sort of shot you’re trying to play you need to make the most of the chances you get.”
So, what advice does he have for anyone with a goal to playing in Melbourne?
“My advice would be to give it a go and to play as much as possible,” Matt said.
“The experience of playing in Melbourne will help you out in the long run.”
It certainly helped Matt in the 2022 Victorian Open in Shepparton, making the quarter finals of the singles and semi finals of the pairs.
He lost to eventual winner Jay Bye-Norris (Deer Park) in the singles quarter final and teamed up with Webbcona’s Ben McArthur in the pairs where they bowed out in the semis to Lilydale’s Cleve Snary and Joshua Sanders.
It was a fantastic effort to go so deep in the tournament in both events and he attributed playing with good mate Ben McArthur as one of the reasons why.
“I think the main thing for me was I didn’t have expectations and was really enjoying my bowls,” Matt said.
“In the pairs, the chance to play at an event like that with my best mate in Benny was unreal.”
“Really enjoying the experience probably helped with how far we got.”
The duo teamed up as recently as last weekend to win the 23-24 BHBR Men’s Triples event with fellow Webbcona bowler Zac Stewart.
Webbcona’s Ben McArthur, Matt Blackburn & Zac Stewart following BHBR Triples win
The trio head to Bendigo next April to represent the region against the best in the state.
So, who has impacted Matt the most on his bowls journey?
“I’ve had a lot of people have a big impact on my bowls,” Matt said.
“Just to name a few, my dad, Gerry flapper, Ray Laycock, Wayne Pattie and Benny MacArthur.”
“All these guys have had an impact or taught me a lot over the years and are still teaching me.”
Matt’s father Greg Blackburn plays alongside him at Fitzroy-Victoria, while his brother Todd also plays in Melbourne for Melton.
His mother Donna plays Division 1 for Webbcona and the Blackburn name is synonymous with the club.
Matt and his partner Aimee welcomed a new addition to the Blackburn clan earlier this year with the arrival of Oakley, and quite likely a budding Webbcona bowler in the years to come.
So, if Matt had the choice of any three bowlers to play alongside in a big Fours event, who would they be, and why?
“I’d pick Benny Mcarthur, Gerry Flapper and my dad,” Matt said.
“I’d pick these three as Gerry and dad taught me most the stuff I know about the game and I’d pick Benny because I enjoy playing with him and he’s a good player.”
What is Matt’s go to drill when on the practice green?
“I don’t really have a go to drill, just normally like to play a pairs or singles game against someone with a bit of competitive edge to it,” Matt said.
“Play a game and treat it like a game, and play different shots, practicing litle things during the games that I need to work on.”
What is a good drill for new bowlers to practice each week to improve their game?
“Having a jack on the maximum length and shorter length, bowling 2 to one jack the other 2 to the other,” Matt said.
“Playing all backhand and then next end forehand, then after a few ends of that one bowl on each hand to both jacks.”
Matt’s achievements in bowls over the years include playing for the Ballarat region, winning a club pairs with his dad at Fitzroy, winning the premiership with Webbcona, plus BHBR Triples and Victorian Open as mentioned.
He skipped in the victorious Ballarat Highlands team at the recent Provincial Championships against Bendigo and Geelong at Sebastopol Bowling Club in November and will don the BHBR colours once again in January at the prestigious Region Sides event in Ballarat.
One thing’s for sure, he’ll give it his all for the team.
23-23 BHBR Provincial Championship winners – Ballarat Highlands
We thank Matt for his time and wish him all the best in bowls and life!