Ferryhill Indoor Bowling Club

Juniors

Ferryhill IBC are very proud of the Youth Program that has been developed over the years. Many youngsters at Ferryhill have achieved awards for their skill and commitment in the sport, and we can be boast the fact that junior members of Ferryhill Indoor Bowls Club were the first in County Durham to gain the awards for competence in the game.

The Durham County Youth Bowls Awards were established to encourage young people to take part and stay interested in bowls. The seven level scheme rewards junior players for skill, attitude, knowledge and gamesmanship.

County Coach George Fleming said: "We want to encourage younger people to take up the sport and hope these awards will give young players something to aim for and maintain their interest in bowls."

Club Coach Norman Grimmer added: "We’re proud of our young members. We sometimes struggle for members as it is seen by some as an old man’s sport but its a great leveller, anyone can take part."

Three players- Nadia Morrison, 9, Niall Strange, 10, and Michael Kirton, 15, gained level one awards. With Keren Smart, 13, Mark Brunskill, 10, James Harker, 10, Ryan Harker, 14, Noah Cummings, 10, and Joshua Jolly, 14, all achieving level two status. Joshua is also the first player under 18-years-old to start training as a bowls coach.

Joshua says, "I’ve been playing since I was five after my granddad introduced me to the game. I hope by becoming a coach I can encourage more young people to take part, sometimes it gets lonely with just a few teenagers in the club, but to me it is a wonderful."

Coaching sessions for young people are held most Fridays throughout the winter season, contact Norman Grimmer on 01740 654121 for further details.