Tenpin bowling might be a popular holiday activity but for three local teenagers, hitting the lanes at Wagga Bowl is serious business.
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Natarsha O’Leary, Emma Scott and Lily Crocker are in training for April’s Australian Junior Championship.
Still learning the craft, they’ve already got the bug.
“What I like most about it is it’s challenging, and you get to meet new people,” Emma said at training this week.
What started as a hobby for Natarsha has become a mentally-challenging sport.
“You just have to concentrate, and focus on your concentration,” Natarsha said.
The bowlers are also raising money to help fund the $1500 each required for the championships in Sydney.
Southern NSW combines with the ACT to form a ‘state’ team at nationals and the Wagga trio’s representation – from a city which didn’t have a bowling alley for more than a decade – is a welcome lift for long-time bowlers like their coach Barry Lonsdale.
Lily is his granddaughter and her family history is steeped in the sport. Lonsdale attended 32 consecutive nationals championships himself while Lily’s mum, Michelle, was an Australian under 18 representative at the age of 10.
“The bowling centre only came to Wagga when I was about 10 or 11 so I didn’t really get to get into it until about that time,” Lily said.
“I just enjoy when there’s a good game and it’s really competitive. That way, whether you win or lose, you know you’ve put in hard work.”
Natarsha, Lily and Emma are only 18 months into their development as serious bowlers and the lack of a facility during their formative years means they’re starting from behind the line compared to other young competitors.
Boxing Day marked four years since the Wagga Bowl opened, after the city’s last centre had closed down in 1999.
“We had some very competitive kids (in the past) but 13 years closed...” Lonsdale said.
His mission is to uncover – or encourage – another national champion from the City of Good Sports.
According to the veteran coach, it all comes down to one thing.
“Repetition. And a good approach,” he said.
And his young charges are getting the message:
“Always look at your mark and try and hit it all the time,” is Emma’s top tip for amateurs.
Lily agrees it’s all about consistency, and managing the mind games.
“Yeah, it can vary if you’re stressed out too,” she said. “You’ve got to have your head in the game to play the game.”
