WEBBCONA young gun Jordan Currie took it upon herself to further her bowling career.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Previously at Invermay Bowling Club with the rest of her bowls-mad family, the 17-year-old decided it was time to take a solitary path in the Ballarat District Bowls Division.
Currie switched to Webbcona at the end of last season and quickly flourished in her new environment.
Within the opening few rounds, she had progressed from division three to the top level of midweek pennant.
Above all other achievements, however, was making her Ballarat Geelong premier division debut in weekend pennant last Saturday.
After a difficult past month for Webbcona, the struggling club showed genuine fight against second-placed Queenscliff, going down by just 11 shots despite playing away against one of the best teams in the competition.
Currie, who only found out the night before that she would make her debut, said her nerves quickly disappeared once she stepped out on the green.
"On the way there, I was pretty scared and trying not to think about it," Currie said.
"But it was really good. I was able to settle in pretty quickly. I loved it.
"It was probably one of the best games I've played."
Currie played in skipper Brett Mahoney's rink, with whom she has developed a close friendship.
She said the level of support from all of her team mates came as a surprise.
"It was really loud," Currie said.
"It was great, how much they encourage you. If you had a good bowl, they would all make some noise even if they were in a different rink and didn't see it, just because they could hear the others."
Currie said she did not know whether she would get another gig at the top level, but was hoping for good news come selection night.
With just four rounds remaining, Webbcona is virtually out of the finals race in premier division, sitting in ninth place on the ladder.
However, Currie revealed she will soon go back to her original spot in the club's division six team, which appears likely to enter the finals in third spot.
Currie, who is allowed to take Mondays off school to plays bowls, also looms as key in Webbcona's midweek pennant premiership hopes.
She said playing regularly in division one had significantly boosted her confidence.
"Since I've been in division one, I've been bowling a lot better," Currie said.
"They're all so encouraging. I love playing with Leah McArthur – she's like a bowls mum to me.
"I wouldn't want the team to change."
It's been a remarkable rise for Currie, particularly given she broke her collarbone in a motorbike accident last season.
Currie continued to play bowls – and play well – using her left hand instead. She's since switched back to her right.
Now it’s just a matter of how far the young star can go in the sport.