Gunnedah junior lawn bowler Jacob Martin is enjoying a period of great success in the sport, travelling the country for tournaments as well as being announced as a nominee for a state bowling honour.
Bowls NSW will hold its annual awards presentation later this month, with Jacob a nominee for Male Junior Bowler of the Year.
Jacob also travelled to Perth at the weekend to compete in the Australian Under-18 Championships underway this week.
A lawn bowler now for almost five years, Jacob has developed an enduring passion for the sport.
It’s a sport that is taking him to all corners of the nation, something he never anticipated.
During a family holiday to Manning Point, he played some social bowls and soon realised it was something he enjoyed.
He was offered a set of bowls, on the provision that he join up at his hometown club.
Jacob has since enjoyed great development in the sport and the opportunities to travel.
Last year, he travelled to Tasmania claiming a pairs title alongside Gunnedah’s Tim Thorning while finishing runner-up in fours.
NSW is experiencing strong numbers among its junior ranks, challenging the stereotype that bowls is a sport for just seniors.
“It isn’t just an old person’s sport,” Jacob said.
While junior numbers had thinned a little in Gunnedah, Jacob encourages everyone to give the sport a go.
“It’s one of those sports that you either love it or you don’t,” he said.
“It can take a while to get into, but you love it a lot more once you do.”
Jacob was looking forward to another local also featuring at the Perth tournament this week.
Charli Cameron, of Gunnedah, is also among the competitors and gained selection through one of the Tamworth clubs.
Looking ahead to the Bowls NSW presentation celebration, to be held at Wenty Leagues, Jacob described it as an honour to be nominated.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said of the celebration.
At this week’s tournament, Jacob will play in multiple formats in what is a round-robin competition featuring five players.
Looking ahead, he travels to Melbourne in November to play in a Junior BPL competition representing St John’s Park.
Locally, Jacob enjoys playing in both competitions and social bowls at Club Gunnedah.
Jacob Martin has enjoyed recent success in bowls, travelling to Perth last weekend to take part in the Australian Under-18 Championships and preparing for Bowls NSW’s awards night later this month after being announced as a nominee for the Male Junior Bowler of the Year. Photo: supplied.
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