SPORT has been a life-long passion for Stephen Phillips.
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He played soccer until he was 52, when ankle injuries finally forced him to hang up the boots.
After that he took up inline hockey, before back injuries meant he had to quit that too.
"I thought that instead of sitting at home staring at four walls, I'll play another sport," Stephen said.
His latest sporting venture in the area of lawn bowls has seem him excel in the space of just 18 months, winning district and zone rookie singles bowls titles.
He'll compete at the rookie state final at Raymond Terrace on October 18.
The rookie competition is for players who have been associated with a bowling club for less than 30 months.
For Stephen, who is a member of Taree Leagues, the sport has a host of physical and social benefits.
"It gets me outside, gets me moving and keeps me healthy," he said.
"The social camaraderie is brilliant, the mateship is great."
Stephen says he prefers the singles form of the game, even though he has shared in on some team success in his bowling career so far.
"I prefer singles because it's down to your own skills," he said.
"If you make a mistake, you blame yourself."
His team successes have included being a member of the Zone Six pennant side, and part of the team that were runners-up at the club fours champions.
He's confident of his chances at the State finals.
"We're all rookies and only have our own skills to rely on, so you've all got a chance of winning," he said.
No matter the result, Stephen is pleased to have made it this far already.
"I never thought I'd get this far let alone win it," he smiled.
"Anything else will be a bonus."
Stephen is this week's Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week.