In search of bowling talent By Ng Wei Loon
01/12/07
Malaysia
Republished courtesy of The Star Online (Jan. 12, 2007)
The recent Kuala Lumpur core-sport bowling junior development programme selection and evaluation garnered an overwhelming response.
As the budding keglers tried to impress the selectors to secure their places in the Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 training squads for the new season, their families and friends also gathered to support the bowlers in action.
It was held at the Mega Lanes Endah Parade bowling alley in Seri Petaling.
Limbering up: The participants warming up before the roll-off. Pictures by Mohd Sahar Misni.
Although core-sport bowling coaching director Joe Slowinski went through a punishing pace to gauge the junior bowlers' performances, he has reasons to smile with the impeccable turnout.
"We are very excited because bowling is gaining recognition. The increase in popularity of the game among youngsters augurs well with our objective to have a bigger pool of emerging bowlers.
"It gives us more options to select the best in developing world-class bowlers from scratch. We are optimistic that we are moving towards the goal with the high level of participation shown here today," said Slowinski, who has been spearheading the programme since May last year.
The youngsters matched their ability to knockdown the pins with a spirited warming up session before the trial went underway.
"The Kuala Lumpur coaches are committed in implementing the syllabus outlined in the programme as their trainees have executed the drills correctly. So far, Kuala Lumpur have lived up to the expectations and they are at the upper quarter compared to other states," added Slowinski.
At the trial, the Under-12 category drew 74 competitors including 39 newcomers.
Who's the talent: Slowinski (left) evaluating the junior bowlers' potential at the trial.
"We see good potentials coming through especially with seven- and eight- year-old participants possessing good natural skills, to be nurtured. We observed for qualities such as balance, free swing and willingness to learn," said Slowinski, adding that several of the existing Under-12 trainees will be promoted to Under-15.
However, it was the Under-15 category that attracted the most entries with 98 bowlers in the fray occupying all the 30 lanes in the alley.
"For example, we have a nine-year-old who is currently in the Under-15 category. We are evaluating whether the particular bowler is ready to step up to the Under-18. Bowling is a finesse game that requires delicate skills. As coaches, we do not rush the bowlers through the learning process because we emphasise on paying meticulous attention to details," he added.
Slowinski also said Under-18 trainees have to be armed with specific fundamental skills before they move on to master the 1,000 ball reactions incorporated in the Under-18 curriculum.
Considering the special programme tailored and initiated last year for Sekolah Alam Shah in Putrajaya has ceased, 44 students represented the school in the Under-15 and Under-18 category at the trial.
"I want to try to retain my place in the team," said the school's bowling club president Meor Farizad Meor Fadzli, 17.
Last year, a total of 162 junior bowlers in the Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 categories were part of the programme at four centres - Mega Lanes Endah Parade (Sri Petaling), Bangsar Bowl (Bangsar), ARL Power Bowl (Alamanda, Putrajaya) and Pandan Lake Club (Pandan Perdana) - in Kuala Lumpur.
This year, training sessions for the Under-12 will also be conducted at Ampang Superbowl in Berjaya Times Square.
"Only the Under-12 programme has been approved at Ampang Superbowl in Berjaya Times Square. The Kuala Lumpur Tenpin Bowling Association has to apply and request for the Under-15 and Under-18 programmes to be transferred from Bangsar Bowl to Berjaya Times Square," said Kuala Lumpur core-sport bowling junior development programme chief coach Abdul Manan Kadir.
For the new season, each of the four centres - Mega Lanes Endah Parade (Sri Petaling), ARL Power Bowl (Alamanda, Putrajaya), Pandan Lake Club (Pandan Perdana) and Ampang Superbowl (Berjaya Times Square) - can accommodate up to 18 trainees in each age-group.
Those drafted into the programme will have to undergo two-hour training session, three times a week at their respective centres.
As the budding keglers tried to impress the selectors to secure their places in the Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 training squads for the new season, their families and friends also gathered to support the bowlers in action.
It was held at the Mega Lanes Endah Parade bowling alley in Seri Petaling.
Limbering up: The participants warming up before the roll-off. Pictures by Mohd Sahar Misni.Although core-sport bowling coaching director Joe Slowinski went through a punishing pace to gauge the junior bowlers' performances, he has reasons to smile with the impeccable turnout.
"We are very excited because bowling is gaining recognition. The increase in popularity of the game among youngsters augurs well with our objective to have a bigger pool of emerging bowlers.
"It gives us more options to select the best in developing world-class bowlers from scratch. We are optimistic that we are moving towards the goal with the high level of participation shown here today," said Slowinski, who has been spearheading the programme since May last year.
The youngsters matched their ability to knockdown the pins with a spirited warming up session before the trial went underway.
"The Kuala Lumpur coaches are committed in implementing the syllabus outlined in the programme as their trainees have executed the drills correctly. So far, Kuala Lumpur have lived up to the expectations and they are at the upper quarter compared to other states," added Slowinski.
At the trial, the Under-12 category drew 74 competitors including 39 newcomers.
Who's the talent: Slowinski (left) evaluating the junior bowlers' potential at the trial. "We see good potentials coming through especially with seven- and eight- year-old participants possessing good natural skills, to be nurtured. We observed for qualities such as balance, free swing and willingness to learn," said Slowinski, adding that several of the existing Under-12 trainees will be promoted to Under-15.
However, it was the Under-15 category that attracted the most entries with 98 bowlers in the fray occupying all the 30 lanes in the alley.
"For example, we have a nine-year-old who is currently in the Under-15 category. We are evaluating whether the particular bowler is ready to step up to the Under-18. Bowling is a finesse game that requires delicate skills. As coaches, we do not rush the bowlers through the learning process because we emphasise on paying meticulous attention to details," he added.
Slowinski also said Under-18 trainees have to be armed with specific fundamental skills before they move on to master the 1,000 ball reactions incorporated in the Under-18 curriculum.
Considering the special programme tailored and initiated last year for Sekolah Alam Shah in Putrajaya has ceased, 44 students represented the school in the Under-15 and Under-18 category at the trial.
"I want to try to retain my place in the team," said the school's bowling club president Meor Farizad Meor Fadzli, 17.
Last year, a total of 162 junior bowlers in the Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 categories were part of the programme at four centres - Mega Lanes Endah Parade (Sri Petaling), Bangsar Bowl (Bangsar), ARL Power Bowl (Alamanda, Putrajaya) and Pandan Lake Club (Pandan Perdana) - in Kuala Lumpur.
This year, training sessions for the Under-12 will also be conducted at Ampang Superbowl in Berjaya Times Square.
"Only the Under-12 programme has been approved at Ampang Superbowl in Berjaya Times Square. The Kuala Lumpur Tenpin Bowling Association has to apply and request for the Under-15 and Under-18 programmes to be transferred from Bangsar Bowl to Berjaya Times Square," said Kuala Lumpur core-sport bowling junior development programme chief coach Abdul Manan Kadir.
For the new season, each of the four centres - Mega Lanes Endah Parade (Sri Petaling), ARL Power Bowl (Alamanda, Putrajaya), Pandan Lake Club (Pandan Perdana) and Ampang Superbowl (Berjaya Times Square) - can accommodate up to 18 trainees in each age-group.
Those drafted into the programme will have to undergo two-hour training session, three times a week at their respective centres.