BRAD Roberts isn’t your quintessential lawn bowler - far from it.
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But, not deterred by a sport traditionally dominated by the oldest of athletes, this 15-year-old Canobolas Rural Technology High School student is taking lawn bowls and making it his own.
“Definitely not,” Roberts smiled when asked if he’s your run-of-the-mill Sunday morning lawn bowler.
“It’s definitely worth a go though, it’s hard to begin with but it’s definitely a game of skill.
“You won’t pick it up the first time, it does take practice but if you stick with it you’ll always become good.”
Proving the game’s not just for those revelling in retirement, Roberts has been selected in the Western Area triples to compete at Wagga Wagga from August 5 to 7 before heading off to Warilla in June, 2015, to be part of the Western singles and pairs sides.
A member of the Orange Ex-Services Country Club, Roberts says he’s hoping to do extremely well in Wagga.
“We’re in a very hard pool,” he said.
“We’re against the defending champions, which is South Coast, but they’re definitely beatable.”
Roberts has been bowling competitively for three-and-a-half years, but originally picked up a lawn bowl for the first time eight years ago to play alongside his pop.
Roberts looks up to current world champion Jeremy Henry, as well as Brett Wilkie and singles star Aron Sherriff, both in Glasgow competing on the Commonwealth Games stage.
The Country Club young gun is determined to take his game to the next level too.
“I definitely hope to go further, I’m definitely pushing for state selection,” he said.
“I’d like to get to that stage.”