IT’S not every day that you find a teenage boy hooked on playing lawn bowls. But for 17-year-old Keeden McGuire he is happy to lead the way.
Originally from Dubbo, Keeden starting playing the sport from the age of 12 after his dad encouraged him and his brother to give it a go. Since then he has never looked back.
“I used to be a bit scared to tell people I played bowls,” Keeden admits.
“I used to be a bit scared to tell people I played bowls.” – Keeden McGuire
“I guess people see it as an older persons sport. But I don’t care now I just tell people.
“I really enjoy it. I love the competitiveness and I like meeting new people from other clubs.”
Keeden initially joined the Tuncurry Bowling Club when his family moved to the Great Lakes less than 12 months ago.
But after being offered a green keepers’ apprenticeship at the Forster Bowling Club earlier this year, he made the switch to a new club.
“I was really happy to of got it. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I like the outdoors and you get to know the greens,” he said.
Keeden along with 16-year-old Alex Hicks are the two youngest members of the Forster club and are currently contesting the club’s Major Singles event.
Round one of the Major Singles kicked off on Friday, April 4. One round a week for seven weeks will be played until the competition wraps up in mid May.
Forster Bowling Club’s bowls coordinator Tim Farrell, who is also a young player, said the sport was shedding its traditional image with more and more youthful faces present on local green’s.
“We started out with one young player in our club now there is about three of us,” he said.
“Keeden has a lot of potential as a player and is a good kid.
“The Major Singles is his first championship with this club.
“It is considered to be a blue ribbon event. This year we have 64 entries. So whoever wins this will go on to regionals.”
Keeden is encouraging young locals to give the game of bowls a go as it is “better than you think.”
“Just give it a go. You’re not going to get injured in this sport that’s what I always looked at when I signed up to it,” he said.
“There’s good prize money involved and there is a lot of enjoyment and fun to get out of it.”
The Forster Bowling Club is always on the lookout for new members.