At just 18 years of age, Bedggood will skipper his first division one match when BMS travels to Buninyong for a do-or-die clash on Saturday.

BMS selector Graeme Inglis said Bedggood was a worthy selection after becoming a picture of consistency in the 2014-15 Ballarat District Bowls Division season.

“He’s been sitting in third for quite a while, learning the ropes, and he deserves a crack,” Inglis said.

“It’s all on the day; it’s a big game for us and he’s earned the right to be there.

“No one even blinked at the selection because he’s produced some great bowls under pressure.”

Bedggood has been at BMS for more than three years after starting his fledgling career at Ballarat North – a club where both his father and grandfather played.

Now,  Bedggood, his parents and four siblings all play at BMS, leading members to occasionally refer to the club as ‘‘Bedggood Memorial Sports’’.

However, Bedggood’s influence has now extended far beyond the greens of BMS, with the young star taking his second-consecutive Central Victoria Under-25 Championship in December.

The former Ballarat Digger followed it up by making it to the second round of the state under-25 titles, but has now set his sights on proving himself a worthy skipper for BMS.

“It’s something I’ve been striving to achieve and I think I’m capable of doing it. I was just waiting for the club to think that it was the right time,” Bedggood said.

“It was a bit of a surprise; I didn’t think they’d be making too many changes this late in the season. But at the same time, I’d been working hard to prove that I could play all the shots.

“I’m not really that nervous, more excited to show what I’ve got to offer.”

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au