Teenagers looking to get out of the house and have fun should try bowling.
So says Marlena Ladouceur, manager and co-owner of Bayshore Lanes in Midland, which offer 12 lanes of five-pin bowling.
The Midland Youth Bowling league has just started up for children and youth between the ages of six and 18. Bowling offers a low-cost sport that can be as social or as competitive as anyone could want, Ladouceur says and registration is open to new bowlers.
"There are lots of teenagers who don't play a team sport like hockey. Bowling provides a great opportunity. They come as an individual and meet friends and have fun," she says.
Dennie Belcourt, 14, is bowling for her second year.
"I like making new friends, being active and bowling," she says.
Her sister Gracen, 11, says she likes getting out of the house on a weeknight and spending time bowling with friends.
Nathan Lefaive, 14, says he finds bowling fun and he enjoys meeting new people. He also likes competing. His highest score is 300.
"I want to bowl over 300 this year," he said.
Owen Fuller, 11, also likes competing. He made it to the regional competition with Youth Bowl Canada (YBC).
Fellow youth bowler Mason Torraville, 10, has been bowling since he was a toddler, as his grandparents Dennis and Pauline Brabant own Bayshore Lanes. Torraville has competed at the national level competition the last two years. His highest score is a 369.
"I've got three silver medals," he said.
Competing is optional but for those enjoy competition, Bayshore Lanes has been running a successful YBC program for the past 40 years with regional, provincial and national level tournaments.
Youth bowling is held on Monday nights and bowlers are grouped with others their own age. Coaching is available but informal. Every week, there is bowling games where youth can win prizes such as cash and candy.
Ladouceur calls out the games. On Monday night it was bowling the ball over a small piece of paper on the lane and striking down a pin. The challenges continued until there is one bowler left per game.
Foxx Everschlag, 5, won $5 on a game. His mother, Meghan Everschlag, a national youth gold medal winner and member of the Midland Sports Hall of Fame, looked on.
"I like that I keep getting strikes," said Foxx's brother Dash, 7, who is in his second year with the youth league. Dash bowled a 203 last year when he was six.
The season for bowling runs from September to April with bowling on Monday nights. The fee for the season is less than $300 and no equipment is required, making it an affordable sport, says Ladouceur.
"Youth get active with regular, moderate exercise and improve their coordination, balance and motor skills," Ladouceur says. "The team dynamics of bowling also help improve social skills through positive interaction with peers," she adds.
Bowlers learn good sportmanship and fair play. They learn to set goals and work to achieve them. Bowlers are also rewarded through the program for their in-house achievements, Ladouceur says.
For more information about the Midland Youth Bowling league or bowling in general, visit the bowling centre at 205 King St., phone 705-526-4887, visit the website: https://bayshorelanes.ca/Home, email: [email protected], or find them on popular social media platforms including Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayshorelanes .
