Sky’s the Limit as Dashing Dan Makes Dazzling Debut

To Sarah's amazement, old Butch had his bell in his beak, so it couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job, and walk on to the next one. Sarah was so proud of old Butch, she entered him in a Show and he became an overnight sensation among the judges. The result was the judges not only awarded old Butch the "No Bell Peace Prize" they also awarded him the "Pulletsurprise" as well.

Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making. Who else but a politician could figure out how to win two of the most coveted awards on our planet by being the best at sneaking up on the unsuspecting populace and screwing them when they weren't paying attention? Vote carefully in the next election. You can't always hear the bells. – Wendy Flack

Sky’s the Limit as Dashing Dan Makes Dazzling Debut

While we tend to curse a bit when the wind starts to blow hard at Sorrento, the arrival of Dan Nicholls has been a welcome breath of fresh air.

For out of the blue Sorrento has gained a bloke who undeniably brings talent, exuberance, loyalty and YOUTH to our Club. At the age of 24 the affable redhead is the sort of person Sorrento needs in its ranks if it hopes to keep pace with the evolving and competitive nature of bowls at the top level.

In only his first season at our Club, Dan has incredibly taken out the prestigious "Men’s Bowler of the Year" award after winning the Single’s championship as well as sharing victory in the Men's Pairs championship. His role as a Skip also played a pivotal role in Sorrento holding its place in Premier Division.

39

On the surface they seem to be the credentials of someone who has been around bowls for a very long time. And in a sense, he has. For starters, Dan had the good fortune of being introduced to bowls by his father, Peter, at the tender age of 13. That was with the Guilderton club where the family lived at Moore River.

Peter had played Premier Division at Bedford and then Scarborough with our Chris Lander. Along the way Dan played in the State junior side until he was 18 and gained selection through the divisions at the strong Bassendean club.

His comprehensive victory over Ross Cunningham in the final of Sorrento’s Singles Championship ended a frustrating run for Dan who had been runner up three times at both Guilderton and Bassendean. Pictured above is Dan receiving his trophy from Trevor Orton.

In fact, so strong is Dan’s love for the game and desire to help Sorrento, he wants to play an integral role in helping the Club build for the future. “I felt it was time for a change,” he said. “I wasn’t enjoying my last few seasons at Bassendean. I wanted to go to a club where I could play at a high level and one at which I felt I could help in getting some youth come through.” Dan compares what is now happening at Sorrento to a football club during a rebuilding process.” It doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. “I want to help Sorrento rebuild over the next four or five years. There is a lot of talent at Sorrento but I feel some of it is underrated. I love a club that gives you a chance and I’ve always been someone who thrives on teamwork”.

40

A vital role in that regard was played by selector Mal Burton who asked Dan how he would feel if fellow Bassendean player Andy Elmer could be persuaded to come to our Club and play as his Third. “That made me feel at home straight away and really helped me settle in at Sorrento,” Dan said. And the pairing of Dan and the more senior Andy has certainly reaped its rewards. Pictured above are Andy and Dan with Brian Saul and Mal Burton.

Dan said that around half way through the Christmas break of the season, he was approached by Chris Lander who asked him if he was enjoying himself at Sorrento. Dan’s answer was spontaneous and, in a sense, reflects the very culture Sorrento takes pride in promoting. “I told Chris it was the first time in three or four years that I have really enjoyed myself,” he confessed.

And when he is not trying to build a head, Dan is busy building kitchens and as a stonemason specialises in bench-tops and splash backs. “I’ve never tried to get money out of bowls because then it becomes like a job and if you don’t perform well you are going to get knives in the back,” he said.

To the keen observer, Dan’s enjoyment of our Club and his teammates after a game is something to behold. “I’m not scared of being the underdog, I’ve never been grumpy and I don’t get upset” he freely admits. Now, there, surely, is a lesson for us all.

– Jim Woodward