| Rob Parrella | |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Birth Date: | 9 June 1944 |
| Birth Place: | Italy |
| Sport: | Bowls |
Robert Parrella (born 9 June 1944) is an Italian born, Australian international lawn and indoor bowler.
Born in Italy Rob came to prominence when winning a silver medal in the 1982 Commonwealth Games behind Willie Wood. Despite this success he fell out of favour with the Australian selectors and it was not until 1989 that he represented his country again.[1]
In the 1990 Commonwealth Games he won the singles Gold and in the 1994 Commonwealth Games he won a bronze medal in the singles.
He only competed in one World Outdoor Championship in 1992.
He has won three gold medals at the Asia Pacific Bowls Championships in 1989 (singles and pairs) and 1991 (singles).[2] [1]
He has twice been Australian National Bowls Championships singles champion and four times pairs champion.
Rob was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day 1996 for service to sport, particularly lawn bowls[3] and on 14 July 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for significant contribution to lawn bowls as a competitor.[4]
Other awards include recognition as Bowls Australia Athlete of the Year in 1989[5] and induction into the Queensland Sports Hall of Fame on 4 December 2009.[6]