A FRESH wave of talent is propelling one of the Ballarat District Bowls Division’s smallest clubs towards division one glory.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ballarat East, long known for its roots as a family first club, is now reaping the benefits of sporting a younger than average bowling base.
Leading the club’s charge are Zach Stewart and Luke Whitehead, both of whom are skipping at 23 and 25 years of age respectively.
East endured a tough stint in the Ballarat Geelong premier division last year, but since returning to the BDBD’s division one, has triumphed in three of its first four home and away matches.
“We were caught in that level between division one and premier, so it’s good to be back,” Whitehead said. “It’s a great club to be a part of. It’s more about the culture than the bowling side of things.
“Everyone’s really close with each other.
“I’ve seen bowling clubs get torn apart from two or three blokes, and that’s not what East is like.”
Both Whitehead and Stewart have combined for perfect records as skippers this season, and the latter is relishing his role after a tough first season with East in 2013-14.
“You’re playing against some of the best bowlers in the state, and all you can do is get as much experience as possible,” he said.
“We’ve pretty much got the same team as then, but the bowlers we have are now a lot more experienced.”
However, the club has welcomed the experienced hands of Peter Wilson and Luke Glasson back into its fold for the season.
Stewart, who started bowling at 14, says there are several junior bowlers rising through the club’s ranks.
“From my knowledge, I’d be the youngest skipper in the BDSA,” he said.
“We’ve probably got the youngest president in Luke Cornish, who’s mid 30s.”
Ballarat East will attempt to climb into the top two in division one when it plays Buninyong away from home on Saturday.
michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au