RAYMOND Terrace Strikezone Tenpin Bowl wants to gauge the interest of juniors in a Saturday league which, if the numbers warrant, will start after the football season.
Parents should lodge their expression of interest and contact details with Mel at the bowl, either in person or by phoning 4987 7544.
The bowl’s owner, Neville Marchbank, believes that the timing could not be better.
“After a cold, wet season on the sidelines of football fields and netball courts, I’m sure that parents will definitely welcome a competition unaffected by the weather and conducted in a warm environment,” he said.
“The local area has produced a number of national and world champions, all of whom started in junior leagues.
“While we already have a Thursday junior league, we realise Thursdays don’t suit everyone, and Saturday sport is a very Australian thing.”
Neville said he was reminded of the importance of centres providing a junior starting point when watching former World Champion, Amanda Bradley, training at his centre one Thursday.
“Amanda and fellow world champion Ann Maree Putney both started in junior leagues at the old Mayfield Tenpin bowl.
They went on to become icons of the game internationally.
“Indeed, the world’s best bowler, Jason Belmonte, started playing at the age of four in his parents bowl“
Neville is determined that the new league must first and foremost be fun.
To this end there will not be skills drills.
Rather, the participants, regardless of their skills or even their lack of skills, will be mentored as they bowl.
One appealing fun factor is that at the end of the league, there’s a presentation party and each participant will receive a $20 arcade games card.
These pre-loaded cards accrue points redeemable in the centre’s prize shop situated beside the control counter.
To ensure that beginners are not overwhelmed, the league will be run using a generous handicap system.
The actual format of the league will be determined once the skill levels of those interested are evaluated.
One of the concepts being considered is alternating between singles and pairs.
One week the children would play singles and the next pairs.
The pairs partnerships would change each round.
If your children are unsure, take them to the centre during the school holidays when prices are at their lowest… two children’s games for $13.95 and two games for the parent at $14.95.
Or you can play three games for $17.95.
But it gets better.
Between 9 and 10 each holiday morning, games are just $6 each.
The bowl has an online booking facility www.terracetenpin.com.au
Newcastle’s Former World Tenpin Champion, Amanda Bradley, is now a multi-award winning baby photographer.
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