Sophie wins selection
Horsham’s Sophie Martin will hone her skills at a Tenpin Bowling Australia junior development camp in Canberra after impressing at national level.
Sophie, 14, is one of 24 juniors selected to attend the camp at the Australian Institute of Sport from July 7 to 10.
She is the seventh-ranked junior female tenpin bowler in Australia following performances in her first national competitions in April.
Sophie said she was nervous and excited to participate in the camp.
“I was happy to get in,” she said. “Out of the 12 girls, only two of us are from Victoria.
“There will be a lot of coaches there to help us improve on our technique.
“Hopefully next year or the year after I’ll make the Australian team.”
Sophie said she started bowling at about nine years of age.
“Mum’s partner owns the bowling place. I just started playing and he helped me,” she said.
“There’s quite a few bowlers in Horsham but most of the competitions are in capital cities, so I travel to compete.”
Sophie said her highest score was about 244 and she would love to bowl a ‘perfect 300’.
Members of Australia’s Asian Schools Championship teams will also attend the development camp before representing the country in Malaysia in November.