Phil Johnson, South Tamworth Bowling Club coordinator, remembers well Chris Herden’s first steps in the sport, and the confident gait he soon developed en route to becoming a national champion.
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On Thursday afternoon, at Broadbeach Bowls Club on the Gold Coast, Herden teamed with fellow New South Welshman Carl Healey to become Australian Open pairs champions.
In the final, they thumped another NSW duo, Harley McDonald and Aaron Teys, 21-10. It was Herden’s first national title, Johnson said.
He said Herden left Tamworth a “few years ago” and now competed for St Johns Park Bowling Club in Sydney. But it was at South Tamworth Bowling Club where Herden honed what Johnson said was an obvious natural ability.
And Johnson said that while “Herdo” now lived in Sydney, he was "our prodigy – no fear of risk about that”.
“He’s bred in Tamworth. He’s just gone to Sydney to benefit his career,” Johnson said, adding that Herden was 12 years old when he was first introduced to the club and the sport.
“He’s one of our juniors to come through the Central Northern District’s ranks … We’re proud of him, don’t worry about that,” Johnson said.
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Johnson oversaw Souths’ juniors as Herden’s talent began shining, which the coordinator said had occurred “from the day he first put a ball in his hand”.
“That’s why I know young Herdo so well, because I’ve followed his career basically since he was just a young fellow,” Johnson said, adding: “I think it’s like a footballer or anyone else – you can tell when someone’s got it or they haven’t … He just had untapped ability – just natural, just a natural player.”
