Sables juniors host first inter-district tournament to promote youth bowls

Discovery Bowling Club was the venue for the Sables district’s first junior inter-district invitational competition on September 4.

The friendly contest welcomed visitors from North West, Sedibeng and Ekurhuleni for a day of mixed fours action that featured a total of 15 teams across three age brackets. The U/15s and U/20s were the main focus but to add to the experience for the visitors, U/30 teams were entered too.

Following a successful showing at the national championships hosted in Bloemfontein earlier this year, as well as medal placings at the Commonwealth Games, the time is ripe to increase interest in the sport. Junior player numbers have been increasing gradually and other than more frequent district club competitions, Sables is working hard to get schools within the district on board.

On a sweltering Saturday, teams played several rounds of best of three five-ended set matches. When the last was bowled, Sedibeng’s A and B teams topped the U/20 standings while Sables’ U/15s, skippered by Charne van Staden, split the two Sebibeng teams that finished first and third. In the U/30 section, Sables’ A team earned a second place finish behind the North West team.

Each of the visiting districts have a strong young development set-up with Sedibeng bringing along the youngest lawn bowler aged just seven. However, time on the green was more important that the results as Sables look to build a group of enthusiastic fledglings. Sables hope this event could be a springboard to including other Gauteng districts while rotating hosting responsibilities and enlarging the youth bowls community.