AUSTRALIA’S national sporting teams have been divided by COVID-19 in 2020.
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Only a select few have been able to compete, although it is unlike anything they’ve ever experienced.
And then there are those who are biding their time, waiting until their chance comes again.
That includes the Australian bowls team which Moama’s Barry Brennan is part of.
The veteran bowler broke into the team in 2019 as he travelled to the UK for a training camp.
But when the pandemic arrived on Australian shores, it meant the team was divided.
All events were cancelled and state borders slammed shut, meaning they were no longer able to come together.
Zoom has since come to their rescue.
“We have a lot of regular meetings and training sessions online,” Barry said.
“Because the different states have their own set of restrictions, it has meant everyone is doing different things at the moment.
“Having these meetings means you still very much feel like you are part of the squad.
“I don’t feel like I’ve been dumped and left out on the side of the road.”
Despite his Australian debut being 12 months ago, Barry still takes time to reflect on the moment where he knew he wanted to take his game to the next level.
He was never going to let a multifocal motor neuropathy diagnosis, which he received in 2004, get in his way.
Multifocal motor neuropathy is a progressive weakening of muscles in the hands, arms, feet and legs.
Barry's diagnosis came after watching the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
In the Australian team were three para-athletes.
“Seeing those guys on the big stage certainly rejuvenated my passion,” Barry said earlier this year.
“I thought I was coming towards the end, but it gave me a new avenue to explore and continue my career.
“Since I was diagnosed, I’ve had to find ways to work around my disability, which has only driven me to become a better player.”
Working on his game this has been a challenge unlike any other.
Despite living in NSW, Barry’s allegiance falls to Victoria and with so many events cancelled, he has needed to find other ways to keep his skills sharp.
“I’ve been involved in a lot of social bowls at Moama Bowling Club,” he said.
“We’re very fortunate that the club only had to close its doors for several weeks earlier in the year. It has meant I’ve been able to get out on the greens in some capacity.
“All of the Victorian state titles were either put on hold or cancelled which was a real blow.
“And that came after our pennant grand final was cancelled which was really disappointing.”
But the postponement of local and state events was only the beginning of problems for Barry.
“During winter I would normally go up to Queensland and play in the Australian Open,” he said.
“But like so many other events that was called off because it has been important to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
“It was disappointing because it is an event I look forward to every year and have done quite well there in the past (Barry has won several medals at the event).
“In October we were expecting to have the 60 and Over disability series but because of the situation in Victoria it was called off.”
Now as Victoria starts to emerge from its second COVID wave, events are again on the horizon for Barry and his fellow bowlers.
It started on the local front at the end of October as Campaspe Valley Bowls Division pennant competitions got underway.
“It’s nice to be back out on the greens playing against other clubs,” the Moama star said.
“I honestly feel like we’re making up for some lost time after the way last season ended. We’ve started well by winning our first two games and hopefully we can keep building from here.”
While he is as committed as ever to Moama, Barry’s eyes are clearly focused on state and national events when they do eventually return.
It’s not because he is chasing individual stardom but because he wants to continue testing himself against the best.
“That’s why you play the game, to see how far you can go,” Barry said.
“It has been great to have social bowls as a way of keeping involved in the sport, but you still want to feed that competitive drive.
“Hopefully some more events start to pop up in the coming months so we can get back to some sort of normal.”
And as Victoria puts the second wave behind it, Barry is hoping he can continue working towards his goal of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England.
“The selectors are obviously trying to find out the best combinations to help them win in Birmingham,” he said earlier this year.
“It is still a while away, but I would love to be on the plane in 2022 and I’ll definitely be working towards that goal.”
But for now, Barry has it clear in his mind about what he wants to do in the coming weeks and months.
“I’ll be playing as much bowls as I can,” he said.
“The state and national titles aren’t expected to go ahead until at least April, but I think that’s going to be a positive for a lot of people.
“I’ll be using the summer months to improve my skills and get back to my best.
“Hopefully it means some more success might not be too far away.
“Just being back out on the greens is a win right now though.”
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