IT might have the stigma of a game for the oldies, but try telling that to the 40 bowlers who recently competed at the Under 18s Bowls Triples Carnival at Glass House Mountains Bowls Club.
Junior Bowls Co-ordinator Bill Tumbridge said it was important to give young bowls players pathways at the beginning of their careers, despite what people may think about the sport.
“Everyone thinks it’s an old person’s sport, oldies can still play it, we can’t play the footy and the sports we used to, but the younger generation is so far ahead in getting involved.
“A part of our role is to grow the sport for the younger generation, Bowls Australia is desperately pushing, and they are very confident they will get it as an Olympic sport in 2032.
“So where does that place these kids? Right in Olympic prospects, so that’s a big long-term goal.”
Some of the players on the day were as young as seven years old and were from bowls clubs across the Sunshine Coast District.
This leaves those younger up and coming players with plenty of practice and growth by the time the Brisbane Olympics takes place in 10 years’ time, assuming it is confirmed an Olympic sport.
Jabir, Alex Oster and Josh Williamson won Section 4. Ehan Khan, Ben Harrison, and Sam Collier won Section 3.
In section 2 the winners were Cooper Sutton, Brodie Carter and Todd Brain, and in section 1 were Lucas Evans, Hayden Leslie, and Hayden Oster.
Later in the year, junior players from the Glasshouse Country Bowls Club will have a chance to compete against New South Wales, and if picked again, will play nationally against all the state teams.
Tumbridge said Bowls Australia is pushing to expand the sport to encourage more youth involvement, adding it was a sport for all ages and physical abilities.