The Hong Kong lawn bowls community is delighted with the quality of the young blood from the Young Athletes Lawn Bowls Training Scheme, following the graduation of 44 young bowlers from the scheme last Sunday, Aug 25.
First launched in 2006, the scheme has an objective to raise the interest of the younger generation towards lawn bowls. It employs a systematic approach to cultivate the bowling knowledge of the participants, with the objective of identifying the right talents to fill in the vacancies in the Hong Kong Junior Squad.
The scheme used to divide into two phases of 15 weeks of training, but from this October onward the course will be combined to cover 30 weeks.
B.L. Cheung, co-ordinator of the scheme, believes that there are benefits in extending the course duration.
“This allows the coaches to spend more time on improving individual player’s performance.
“We can also set longer term targets for the participating children, including advanced level skills such as competition techniques and game tactics,” said Cheung.
Any children, ideally with some basic knowledge on lawn bowls, between the ages of 8 to 17 are welcome to enrol in the scheme. A selection test will be conducted for applicants before admission. Currently the scheme operates from five centres located in the Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, Siu Lek Yuen in Shatin, Wu Shan Playground in Tuen Mun, Ap Lei Chau Sports Complex in the Southern District and Hang Hau Man Kuk Lane in Tseung Kwan O.
Each centre will take a maximum of 12 students.
Over the years, more than 200 young bowlers have been trained and a lot of them are still engaged with the sport with the Hong Kong Youth Team.
Most of the participants found that lawn bowls helps them to stay focussed and improves concentration. A good example of this is 10-year-old Tam Cheuk Hei, who started bowling at the age of eight. He said that the nature of the game needed a player to stay focussed all the time.
“You need to maintain patience and use what you learn during class,” said Tam.
However, he is not sure about his future in lawn bowls.
“I need to see if I have time to continue with the training.”
Unfortunately, this is a sad reaction that is reflected in most sports in Hong Kong.
The Young Athletes Lawn Bowls Training Scheme is organised by the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association, and is subvented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
The next selection test for the scheme is scheduled for Sept 29, at the Ap Lei Chau indoor green. Applications need to be lodged before Sept 13.
Ronson Au tournament finally draws to a close
The Ronson Au Mixed Fours competition, which was twice postponed due to poor weather, finally completed last Saturday, Aug 24, with United Services Recreation Club lifting the trophy for the first time.
The task of completing it looked vulnerable again as it was raining again in the morning. It stopped just before the beginning and thanks to the good drainage system of the Filipino Club green, the game went ahead as scheduled.
Two months ago when the game was abandoned, the USRC team was winning 6:0. They continued their form to extend the lead to 10:0 after three ends on the resumed game. However the Hong Kong Football Club team did not give up, crawling back slowly to tie the game at the 17th end.
In the tensely competed final end, the USRC fours regained their touch and took two more shots to wrap the game up.
Claudius Lam is an Officer with the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association.
