Bowling: Ainsworth puts her elders on notice

Bowls first caught Kellie Ainsworth’s eye when she saw a call for players from Warnbro Bowling Club on her school noticeboard.

Two years later, the dedicated 12-year-old is going from strength to strength, recently making the State squad after being runner-up in the U18 State pairs junior championship held at Dudley Park.

This week, Ainsworth will compete for WA in the junior quads series competition held in Sorrento.

‘‘I’m really excited to play for WA,’’ she said.

Ainsworth said although bowling is not a typical sport for someone her age, she enjoys it.

‘‘It’s really fun and you make lots of new friends,’’ she said.

‘‘ I hope one day I can play for Australia.’’

Her coach, Dave Gilroy, believes her goals are within reach.

‘‘Kellie is going very well. She is our club’s current junior ladies singles champion,’’ he said.

Gilroy said he was looking forward to supporting Ainsworth in her competitions this week.

‘‘ Wherever the kids go, we go,’’ he said.

Ainsworth is one of only six juniors at the Warnbro Bowling Club.

‘‘It’s not an old people’s sport — young people who don’t like contact sports should really give it a go,’’ Mr Gilroy said.