Vivian Berkeley

Berkeleys' Lawn Bowling career has span almost 30 years, beginning in 1989. At the time she was also active in Shuffleboard, five-pin bowling and ten-pin bowling. Berkeley stated that "I started bowls because I enjoy sports and a challenge of competitions." Vivian started off playing at the Rockway Lawn Bowling Club in Kitchener, Ontario. However this club closed its doors in the late 1990s to make room for the expansion of its golf course. The following year, a new local Lawn Bowling Club, Heritage Greens, opened. Vivian begin her professional career by competing at the Provincial and National levels, winning Gold for three consecutive years (1995-1997) and eventually earning the distinction of being Canadas #1 Female Blind Lawn Bowler (B1 category - completely blind). From there she would go on to qualify, compete, and win on the International level, at such prestigious events as the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta, USA where she won a Silver medal for Canada, and the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, where she won the Bronze medal. Vivian would continue to compete on the International stage, and on several occasions, held the ranking of Worlds #2 Female Blind Lawn Bowler. In early 1999, Vivian competed at the IPC World Championships in South Africa, where she won a Bronze in Singles. Later that year, she travelled to Scotland for the International Tri-AM, winning a Silver in Mixed Pairs. In 2000, Vivian competed at the International Open in Israel, winning a Silver medal in team play. In 2001, Berkeley travelled back to Edinburgh, Scotland, this time for the IBBA Championships, leaving with a Bronze in Singles. After her Bronze medal win at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, Vivian then headed back to Adelaide, Australia, where she competed and won the Gold medal at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships. In 2004, Vivian would head to Kuala Lumper Malaysia for the IPC World Championships, winning a Bronze in Singles and a Bronze in Pairs. In 2005, Berkeley would win a Silver medal at the World Championships in South Africa. For a third time, Vivian would travel back to Scotland for the 2006 IPC World Championships, however this time she would obtain a Gold medal in Singles. In 2007, Vivian would again travel back to Australia for the IBD Championships, winning the Silver in Pairs and Bronze in Singles. Berkeley won the Gold medal at the 2008 and the 2009 Blind Bowls Association of Canada (BBAC) Nationals in Windsor, Ontario and would once again represent Canada in 2009. For a third time, Vivian would travel to Australia, this time Sydney, Australia, and this time returning from International play with a Silver. In May 2010, Vivian played in an International Lawn Bowling Competition for the Blind and Physically Disabled in Israel, coming home with the Silver medal. Vivian attended an International Bowls for All Disabilities Tournament in South Africa in 2011, where she added another Silver medal to her already extensive and impressive collection. Vivian would go on to compete in several more provincial tournaments and attended the Nationals in Kitchener, Ontario in July 2011 along with the Nationals in St Catherines, Ontario in July 2012. Vivian Berkeley retired from International competition in 2013 and officially retired from the sport of Lawn Bowls in 2017. In total, Vivian has accumulated over 21 medals, 16 of those in International Tournaments (2 Gold, 8 Silver, 6 Bronze), and 5 Gold medals at the Nationals.

"As an athlete I feel that year round physical training and mental preparation are the keys to success. To reach your goals you must be prepared to be persistence and dedicated to your sport. An athlete must be able to accept as well as defeat and meet new challenges head on. In order to succeed in any sport this philosophy should be applied on a daily basis." - Vivian Berkeley

Berkeley was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. She received her primary and secondary schooling at the Halifax School for the Blind, in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she graduated in the mid 1950s. She is married to Richard, has two children (Laura and Michael), and one grandchild, Samantha.

Vivian has participated on several boards and committees within the Region of Waterloo including: Director of Public Relations for Canadian Council for the Blind (CCB) Kitchener District club (1969-1973), President of CCB (1996), Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Volunteer (1992-1997), Member of the CNIB Local Board, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (as an in-classroom helper for 16 years), Block Parents, Member of the City of Kitchener Barrier-Free Advisory Committee (1994-Present), Fire and Safety Committee, The Royal Canadian Legion, Lions Club of Canada (past-president), Lioness Club of Canada, President of the Ontario Lawn Bowls Association of the Blind (OLBA) (1997), and the Blind Bowls Association of Canada (BBAC) (created by Berkeley for Blind Lawn Bowlers in Canada). In 1996, Vivian was elected as an official Fire Prevention Ambassador. In 2009 she was elected to the International Blind Bowls Association World Executive.

Chatelaine's Who's Who of Canadian Women, 1999-2000. Pg. 76

Canadian Paralympic Committee - Athlete Profile

Canada at the 1996 Summer Paralympics