Vision-impaired lawn bowlers prepare for Birmingham

Jake Fehlberg was 10 when his vision started to deteriorate.

He took up lawn bowls despite struggling to see the other of the green and needed a guide to stand at the head to lead him.

Felhberg is a reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallist and he is striving for back-to- back wins with his dad by his side.

It's been a busy 12 months of preparation for the Bargara locals who will fly to Birmingham in the coming weeks.

Jake said that this year I have travelled to the UK as part of a tour in preparation for the Commonwealth Games. I've been to the Gold Coast three times this year for training and trials.

I had to go to Tweed Heads for the national championship and most recently the Gold Coast for the Australian Open. Lawn bowlers rely heavily on their sight when competing, but other methods of guidance are needed for vision-impaired competitors.

As a visually impaired player, I have to make sure I have the equipment I need, which is for me, I generally use a monocular to get an idea of the other end, he said.

He said he would have a director available.

Without having that organised, I would not be able to compete. Jake's father, Grant Fehlberg, plays the important role of his vision director.

He puts the ball down, I make sure the mat is straight. He said he would give his son feedback on where his bowls were ending up.

He can follow the ball down with his monocular, but I judge the distance and depth for him, Grant said.

It's full-on concentration because he is so reliant on my advice and I have to be pretty spot on with what I say and get the information right. He said his son's concentration was amazing.

I do play the game, but I don't play at this level. He said it would be nice to play at a higher level but he didn't have the ability.

He said that anyone with a disability should consider playing lawn bowls because what you can achieve is pretty amazing.

Jakes said he did not let his disability prevent him from mixing it with the best on the green.

I like to back myself against anyone and try to be confident and not hold back.