Dianne Violini

Bowling Athlete- Special Legends Class of 2025

Dianne Violini’s competitive bowling career began in 1963 as a youth athlete and has continued at the adult level since 1969.

She has qualified for the Canadian 5-Pin Bowlers’ Association’s Open Championships at the Provincial level for an unprecedented 51 consecutive years, advancing to the Canadian Open Championships on 19 occasions.

For 47 years, Dianne competed in the Alberta Master Bowlers’ qualifying tournaments, earning 41 berths to the Canadian Masters Championships.

She is a 7-time National Women’s “Singles” Champion (1988, 1991, 1993, 1998, 2006, 2010, 2013) and a 6-time National Women’s “Team” Champion (1975, 2002, 2004, 2012, 2018, 2022). In addition, she captured a National “Mixed Team” title in 1974.

Over the course of her career, Dianne has achieved 38 National podium finishes, with 14 GOLD, 13 SILVER, and 11 BRONZE medals. As a youth, she also earned 6 Provincial and 2 National titles.

Beyond competition, Dianne has dedicated decades to supporting youth and athletes with special needs, while also serving on various boards of directors at local and regional levels. She was the first secretary of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame and was recognized in 2005 by the Alberta Centennial Salute for Sport.  In 2009, she was named one of the top 100 bowlers by the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association during their 100 year celebration: Century of Excellence.

Dianne was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1987 and was part of the inaugural class of inductees into the Canadian 5-Pin Bowling Hall of Fame in 2019.