UJ hooked on bowling
MONTGOMERY PARK - Tracy-Lee Botha, the world's ninth-ranked bowler, helped out at UJ's inter-residence bowling day with a dedicated team of provincial players.
Tracy-Lee Botha, South Africa’s number one player and ninth ranked bowler in the world, attended University of Johannesburg’s inter-residence bowling event to help coach the students.
“I’m loving this idea!” 24-year old Botha enthused.
“We want to get the younger generation on the green. We want to get a bit of colour in the game. And this sort of atmosphere is how you’re going to reel in the youngsters.”
The easy camaraderie on the Bowling Green and among the spectators – young and old – visibly impressed Botha.
“When I was 14 and I started bowling, the older generation weren’t very accepting of youngsters participating. But through events like this we’re proving a point – we learn from the younger generation. And of course, they learn from us a bit too.”
She likes this relaxed new form of bowling.
“The points system is so much more exciting. Honestly, I’d rather play barefoot bowling than the normal version.”
Botha and the Proteas are currently preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, to be held in Glasgow in July. She has travelled all over the world to bowl.
“The previous Commonwealth Games in India was one of my personal highlights,” she said. South Africa’s bowling team won three gold medals in those games.
She used to play an entire range of sports as a child, but bowling ended up being her focus and her passion.
“It’s a mental game. It’s addictive,” she said. “I’ve been hooked for 10 years.”
