A YOUNG Kerang lawn bowler had the opportunity to represent Victoria earlier this month as part of a junior tri-state test series against Queensland and New South Wales.
Seventeen-year-old Kane Wilson, who plays his bowls at Barham Bowling Club, was one of eight under-18 bowlers selected to compete at Club Tweed between August 2 and 4.
While Wilson and his fellow boys team topped their ladder, with 12 wins and eight losses, it was NSW who claimed overall honours with Victoria and Queensland in second and third.
But the result didn’t dampen Wilson’s excitement about the trip, who described it as “a once in a lifetime opportunity”.
“It was a super exciting opportunity,” he said.
“Not only the chance to represent your state and your club, but also representing your family and friends and doing them proud.
“I received so much support from the local community, it was a really good experience.
“Everyone from Barham were messaging me and encouraging me, they’re such a great club to be a part of.
“It’s a great chance to meet new people from other states and make new friends who have a passion for bowls.”
Having taken up the sport at the age of eleven through a night of social bowls, the encouragement of his fellow social bowlers convinced Wilson to take his bowls further.
“It started when I would join my dad playing social bowls through the summer,” Wilson said.
“I would watch dad play competitively over the weekend, and thought I should just give it a go – I’ve never stopped since then.
“A few people told me I was bowling pretty well, and that I should see how far I could go with my bowling.
“I was only young, so I thought I’d give it a go and I’m glad I did – because I’ve been doing pretty well.”
As Wilson continues his journey down the Bowls Victoria development pathway, he hopes to find out later this week if he has achieved another of his goals.
“I’ll be hoping to receive an email later this week to say I’ve been selected to play at the Nationals in October,” Wilson said.
“The Tri-Series team was eight boys and eight girls, which will be cut down to just five of each for that tournament.
“I’m really hoping to get picked – I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’ve played pretty well recently.
“I like to think I’m a good chance, but you really never know.”
Wilson’s dreams of bowls glory doesn’t stop at the junior national championships, with one eye on the pinnacles of lawn bowls.
“I’d love to play in the Victorian open sides when I make it out of juniors,” he said.
“An even further step that I hope to achieve is playing for Australia, maybe I’ll be competing in the Commonwealth Games one day.”
Wilson had a simple piece of advice for any local youngsters interested in taking up the sport.
“Just get out there and give it a go,” he said.
“If you don’t know anyone in bowls, it’s a really great sport to develop connections over time.
“People might think it can be a boring sport, but it’s a very competitive and technical sport.
“It’s really fun and something that everyone can give a try – I think everyone should give it a crack.”
