Bowling

SPORTS, February 2008, by Jenifer Merifield

BOWLING
Whether Team Canada or your home-town
team, this sport is for everyone!

BOWLING Coach Kerrie Ducharme of Winnipeg, MB, will coach the ‘Under 23 Girls Bowling Team Canada’, 2008 (ten pin). Coach Dane Sonstenes of Elgin ON, coaches House Champs: The Rideau Lakes Bowlers (five pin).

Team Members: Team Canada Girls World Youth 2008: Jo Ann Sanesac, Napierville, QC, Kodee Pilling, Lethbridge, AB, Alyssa Cicconi, Pierrefonds, QC, Jennifer Besana, Scarborough, ON, Jennifer Churchill, Windsor, ON - Alternate. Rideau Lakes Bowlers: William, Anders, Clara, Emily, Nissa, Caroline.

Brief History of Bowling: In 1930, all sorts of primitive bowling balls, bowling pins and other materials were discovered in the grave of an Egyptian boy from 3200 BC. It appears that the ancient Egyptians played a primitive form of bowling and that bowling is more than 5200 years old! We’re not sure where tenpin bowling first started, but we do know that by the end of the 19th century it was played in North America with no general rules about the weight and size of balls, pins and lanes. It was in 1895 when ABC (American Bowling Congress) was founded and issued rules so that bowlers could start competitions and tournaments. It was then only meant for male bowlers, even though females had been bowling since the mid-19th century. It was finally in 1917 that the Women’s International Bowling Congress was established and they could now compete in tournaments too. The Canadian Tenpin Federation was formed in 1969. Nowadays everyone, including kids of all ages, abilities and disabilities can bowl.

Commitment level: Training for Team Canada requires proper eating habits and practicing about 30-40 games per week in the months leading up to the tournament. For regular teams, bowlers play 3 games once a week.

Starting age: The youngest start from 4-6 (pee-wee) and there are junior and senior levels as well.

Physical Requirements: While anyone can bowl, to be proficient enough to bowl for the national team, individuals need to have excellent ‘eye-hand’ coordination and mental toughness. After bowling for a while, they will learn to read the ‘lane conditions’. Being physically fit is always recommended at any level.

Equipment: While many serious bowlers prefer their own bowling shoes and a ball specially drilled to fit their own hand size, all bowling centers provide shoes for rent and a variety of different balls with finger holes of various sizes.

Cost: $4 per game for ‘open’ bowling is average across Canada for most centers. League prices vary depending on the league and what ‘prize’ structure they adopt.

Jargon/slang: Strike! (all pins down with one ball), Spare (all pins
down in 2 balls), Headpin (only center pin down with first ball), Aces - birthday candles (two corner pins remaining after first ball), Chop off (The 5-3-2 pin from one side down on first ball), Split (Centre pin and a 3 pin down on first ball), Gutter ball (any ball not staying on the lane).

What do Parents think?: Most parents are very happy with their kids doing competitive bowling on a team. Bowling is a life-time sport that can be enjoyed by those of many different skill levels. One great feature that stands out is that bowling can be enjoyed regardless of physical strength as compared to some other sports where height and muscle are important. Guys and girls can play on the same team with no advantage to either sex. Also, kids on a youth team get to play the entire game, not just a portion of it as in many other sports. It’s a non-contact sport where the whole family can play together.

To learn more visit:
www.gotenpinbowling.ca
www.youthbowling.ca

~Jenifer

Girls Can Do Anything Magazine

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