TIM Slater has undergone treatment to make himself more aerodynamic for his Commonwealth Games debut, all in the name of charity.
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Slater is set to leave for the Glasgow Games next week as part of the Australian Paralympic bowls team.
Ballarat Olympian Steve Moneghetti had the honour of shaving Slater’s seven-month-old beard and partially clipped nine months’ growth from his head.
Slater said he was hoping to raise more than $1000 for Cerebral Palsy Australia.
“Competitiveness at the top level is pretty intense. The Commonwealth Games is the pinnacle of lawn bowls. It’s breathtaking,” he said.
Slater, 22, was born with cerebral palsy and was introduced to lawn bowls in Waubra by his father Paul 10 years ago.
“I’ve had to adapt, but there is no right or wrong way of playing,” he said.
Slater has played – and loved – the sport ever since and made the transition to Victoria Bowling Club in 2012 to test himself at a higher level.
Moneghetti, who has previously competed in Commonwealth Games, said the journey to the games was rewarding for any athlete.
“One day he is having his beard shaved in Ballarat, the next day he is bowling for Australia in Glasgow,” Moneghetti said.
Slater has his immediate sights set on Commonwealth gold, however he plans to continue to compete internationally further ahead at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.