Jack Quinlan will become one of Koroit Bowls Club's youngest division one players ever when he makes his top-grade debut on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
And he'll get to do it alongside his dad Steve as they'll play in the same rink. Steve will be lead and Jack will play second.
They both want to help their town win this season's premiership.
Koroit Blue takes on Warrnambool Gold at Warrnambool in the opening round of the Western District Playing Area weekend pennant.
There'll be plenty of bowlers excited to hit the greens again after another tough coronavirus pandemic-impacted year.
But none will be more pumped to get out there than Jack who is his club's youngest player.
After years watching dad from the sidelines, the youngster started playing in division four last summer and rose to division two.
He's upped his game again to gain selection in top division and is looking forward to the higher standard.
The 15-year-old, who doesn't play any other sports, has demonstrated great commitment to bowls.
"I'm down here (at the club) three or four nights a week," he said.
I'm down here (at the club) three or four nights a week.
- Jack Quinlan
The Emmanuel College year 9 will typically get off the school bus in Koroit and walk down to the greens on High Street.
He'll usually have a roll-up with his dad who has taught him how to draw to the kitty.
It's the most common shot and is about getting the bowl as close as possible to the jack without hitting the head.
Bowls legend Jack Murnane has been another mentor for the young gun.
"Every Sunday, he'll come down for a bowl," the teenager said.
"He teaches me up-shots (driving at the head) and just drawing and gives me a few tips."
Jack wants to progress as far as he can in the sport and watched the under 18s during State Champions Week at City Memorial in January.
He was impressed and as he said "they take it seriously".
It's something he'd like to be part of in coming years.
Otherwise, he's been getting some of his mates interested in the sport and bringing them to the greens.
Steve said it was exciting to have Jack playing in the same rink as him after the youngster had come to watch him for many years.
He's been thrilled to see his son's development.
"We're going to be up there again as one of the better sides so for him to get a game in a side like that is a good effort," he said.
Steve, who has bowled with Koroit for 14 years, has been part of a division two premiership team.
In other division one matches, City Gold takes on City Red and Dunkeld Blue battles Terang Green.
Mortlake Blue hosts Warrnambool Blue while Timboon Gold has Port Fairy Red.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark https://www.standard.net.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines
- and newsletters.
- Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Tap here to open our Google News page.
- Join our Courts and Crime Facebook group and our dedicated Sport Facebook group
- Subscribe
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.