Lawn Bowls: Trophy tops off season for Malia Featured
Malia Tavite
7 May, 2018. A successful summer for Malia Tavite (a.k.a Malia Kioa) of Forbury Park, Otago was topped off when she was awarded the Millie Khan Memorial Trophy for Woman Bowler of the Year at last Saturday night’s Bowl Dunedin awards in Mosgiel.
Malia (50) who represented Tonga at the recent XXI Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast headed off strong competition to claim the prestigious award ahead of Carolyn Crawford (St Clair) and the North East Valley duo of Shona Mann and Sarah Scott.
Crawford and Scott were two of the stars of the female competitions at the national championships earlier this year.
The holder of no fewer than nine titles, Malia burst into contention for the award following a superb run of form on the local scene over the summer months in which she won the Dunedin open singles title, finished runner-up in the open triples and champion pairs, and was third equal in open pairs and champion of triples.
In winning the prized Millie Khan Memorial last Saturday, Malia reflected on what has been a very competitive season among the region’s top female lawn bowlers and her selection to represent and compete for Tonga at the Commonwealth Games.
