The Tenpin Bowling Association of Western Australia will be sending 11 young athletes on an amazing adventure later this year.
The state junior team was put through its paces during a training session at Bunbury Ten Pin Bowl and Family Fun Centre on Sunday, February 3.
The group took part in a warm-up and completed multiple training drills.
In April, the team will head to Oz Tenpin, in Chirnside Park, Victoria, for the 2019 Australian Junior Masters competition.
The WA side currently has seven boys, all guided by state junior team boys manager Karen Scanlon.
Busselton tenpin bowler Connor Dallachy, 16, said he was thrilled to be on the team.
“I love how enjoyable the sport is, learning how to improve, and meeting new people,” he said.
“I will be training and practising every day prior to the tournament.
“I am looking forward to the competition and meeting other people involved in the sport.”
Assisted by state junior team girls manager Jamie Turner, the team has four female participants.
Three Queensland girls will represent WA during the upcoming tournament.
“To give them more experience, we’re moving the participants around to different centres in Western Australia,” Tuner said.
“They are getting to play on sets of lanes that most of them haven’t experienced before. They also get a weekend away in Bunbury.
“We usually get a couple of them to lead the warm-ups.
“They spend about an hour doing practice throws – sometimes with pins and sometimes without pins – so they can judge where they’re throwing.”
Turner said they were determined to hone their skills ahead of the event.
“Prior to the tournament, they will be training every Sunday morning and competing in various competitions,” he said.
“This will give them a bit more experience.
“They will be competing in singles, doubles, and four-person teams while we’re in Victoria.
“We want to make sure everyone gets along and works well in a team.
“We get to see how each individual bowler interacts with the other bowlers.
“For their age and experience, they have all been playing brilliantly.”
Turner said tenpin bowling was an enjoyable, engaging sport for people of all ages.
“My son – Blake Turner – has been playing in a league since he was six, and now he’s 12,” he said.
“The biggest benefit, for parents as well, is that it’s an all-weather sport.”
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