Bedfordshire teen calls for more young people to take up bowls

A sport-loving teenager who turned to bowls after being diagnosed with a joint condition, wants to see more young people take up the game.

He tried to carry on swimming and playing football, but things became "increasingly difficult" for him, so he took up bowls after attending an open-day at Leighton Buzzard Bowling Club.

The 16-year-old, whose ambition is to represent his country in the sport, said it was a shame that more young people do not play, because it is "a really competitive sport with a lot of skill and technique involved".

But such is his love for the game, he was back on the green less than two weeks after surgery on his knee, initially with his crutches and walking sticks, because he did not want to miss out on competing.

Before Thomas took up bowls, he thought it was mainly for older people.

Although he sometimes "gets a bit of stick from his peers", he said it does not really bother him because he gets to meet "lots of new people who are really kind to me."

Thomas would love to see more young people give it a go, as he said there are only about 10 under 25s who compete for Bedfordshire.

The teenager has represented Bedfordshire in the Eastern Counties League and the White Rose Trophy and has also competed in the Bedfordshire Under-25 Singles and Pairs competitions.

He was due to begin a Level 3 BTEC Sport qualification, using bowls as his chosen sport, but was advised it is not included on the list of recognised or accredited sports.

"If young people are unable to use the sport they dedicate themselves to within their education, this could create another barrier to attracting the next generation," she added.

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