Ipswich man picked for England Disability Bowls team

Alfie Orvis, 20, had a stroke just after he was born that led to him having Cerebral Palsy.

However, his family say that growing up he was always a determined boy ready to overcome any adversities, and when he was eight he started playing against his grandfather Peter Emsden. 

Orvis has since taken part in multiple local bowls events and joined the national disability bowls trial last year. 

Alfie Orvis with his idol Katherine Rednall (Image: Lindsey Nunn)

He was set on this journey when he met former England Bowls player John Rednall and his daughter, who happens to be Orvis' idol Katherine Rednall. 

The pair advised the English Disability Bowls team of Orvis' ability, and they invited him on their trial in Lemington Spa last year.

His cousin Lindsey Nunn said: "We didn't expect for him to get the call up to represent the national team because no one gets that chance within a year of playing at the national level. 

"But people were clearly impressed by him and he was called up to represent England at the Disability Bowls World Championships in South Africa."

The championship is set to take place in Welkom, South Africa between May 18 and 30, for which Orvis and his family are flying out on May 15. 

The family are crowdfunding donations to get to South Africa and find a hotel to stay in during the tournament. 

They had also held a brass band concert at St Peter Church on April 13, to help raise money, but they currently sit £600 short of the amount they need. 

"We are all so proud of Alfie for what he has been able to achieve" added his cousin. 

"He has refused to give up on any obstacle and it would mean the world to him and us to get him to South Africa."