Wal began playing Lawn Bowls in 1967 and in 1988 he joined the vision-impaired competition due to developing glaucoma. He was declared legally blind as he has been left with tunnel vision in his left eye and perception of light in the right. Wal was selected to represent Australia in 2006 in the Trans Tasman Championship and won Gold. He wore the green and gold at the in the 2007 International Bowls for Disabled World Championship at Harbord NSW and again win gold in the World Singles B2/3 bowlers.
- Status: Pending2009Australia Day Bankstown City Sports Award
- Status: Pending2009Australian Government Sport Achievement Award.
- Status: Pending2011Represented Australian in South Africa Vision Impaired IBD Outdoor World Bowls Championship.
Beginnings
Wal's early years were spent in Casino. By 1963 he moved to the district and lived in Padstow for over 50 years. He became a long-time patron of the Padstow Bowling and Recreation Club having transferred there in 1967 after beginning his affiliation with lawn bowls at Panania.
Achievements
In 2006 Wal represented Australia in the New Zealand Trans Tasman Championship winning all Vision impaired Singles Matches and winning Gold. In 2007 at the IBD World Championship, Harbord NSW, Wal played and won eight singles matches in total, with a differential of plus 98 shots. A remarkable effort to win all matches against at the best Vision Impaired bowlers in the World, winning the Gold Medal..
To add to this remarkable achievement Wal took part in the Team's triples event at the World Championship with two other Australian Vision Impaired players, Wal played an outstanding game in the final of the B2/3, to finish second and the Silver Medal
Post Representation
In 2011 Wal retired from competitive bowls after 53 years on the bowling green. He was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest (aged 79 and 139 Days) IBD Outdoor Bowls Champion at Harbord.