Kleinfontein bowler blossoms into junior Protea

The young bowler is another who is putting to bed the old perception of the sport as “old man’s marbles”, with numerous achievements on the green in recent times.

Her fine displays have led her to achieve a dream of earning her junior Protea colours in the sport for the first time, ahead of the International Quadrangular Tournament, set to take place at Edenvale Bowling Club, from July 28 to 30.

Nepgen, who lives in Brakpan, started playing the sport at the club in 2011, at the age of 18 years.

After leaving Kleinfontein for another club, for a brief period, the talented bowler returned to the Mackenzie Park-based club and has not looked back.

She is loving life with the club and also serves on the committee, assisting with fund-raising initiatives and events.

“The vibe here is incredible,” she said.

“We are a close-knit family.”

With regard to her selection as a junior Protea, the former Hoërskool Die Anker pupil is extremely eager to represent the country.

“It has taken me three years of playing really tough bowls to get to where I am and I am really excited,” she said.

Playing bowls was not always something that she had a desire to do.

“I grew up next to a bowling green and always complained about it,” Nepgen added.

“I would say: ‘I don’t want to go to the club every single weekend. Why is it always just bowls, bowls, bowls?’, but, when I was done with school I decided to try it out and the bug bit.”

Her father, Marius, realised that his daughter had talent during a social match and soon she was playing competitively.

According to mother Dianne, her daughter possesses tremendous big match temperament and that has contributed to her success.

The rising Kleinfontein star has achieved a lot this year.

She won the Ekurhuleni District Championship singles, won the U-35 District Singles and partnered with her mother to win the District Pairs for a second successive year.

She was also the runner-up at the recent Junior South African Masters tournament.

“I have made the goals that I have set for myself, but now I have to work even harder, because I want to be an open Protea player,” she said.

She believes that a good record, along with consistent displays, will see her feature in the open Protea ranks soon.

Nepgen offered some advice to potential female bowlers who might be considering taking up the sport: “Do it, it is really not old man’s marbles.

“It’s so much fun, you get to meet people from all over the country and you can make awesome friendships.”