Aiming for the stars
Finding talented junior bowlers is not a difficult task when you have the likes of Wiseman Park’s Dylan Skinner gracing the greens.
Skinner is no ordinary junior bowler because this rising star has already gained 11 years of experience having taken up the sport at the tender age of six.
Coming into his final year of junior’s, Skinner has already been transiting into the senior ranks as a member of the NSW/ACT National Training Centre Squad and having success at the Open State Championships.
Skinner recalls his greatest achievement to date as winning the NSW State Triples alongside NTC Coach Gary Willis and Ben Glasson.
Though this talented 17 year old is already proving himself against his more mature age opponents, Skinner is leaving behind a very successful junior career.
The NSW junior star has won numerous state titles including two fours, a pairs and singles title and also contested eight junior finals.
Skinner has aspirations to represent Australia at a Commonwealth Games, following in the footsteps of his favourite Australian Jackaroo Aron Sherriff.
With the next Commonwealth Games hitting Australian shores, the Gold Coast, the new epicentre of bowls, will be the focal point for prestigious national and international events including the $225,000 Australian Open secured by the tourist destination till 2019.
Rising stars of the sport will have the opportunity to impress selectors during the Australian Open on the very greens they dream of representing their country on, during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The 2014 Australian Open Junior Singles Champion, Skinner, will team up with another up and coming talent, Cabramatta’s Corey Wedlock who currently sits fifth on the Aero Bowls National Rankings.
In the Australian Open Fours Skinner, Wedlock, Leese and Piper will team up for their chance to claim the $20,000 first prize and knock off some of the biggest names in the sport.
Skinner knows he wouldn’t have had the opportunities in bowls if it wasn’t for the ongoing support from his clubs, coaches and parents.
“I’d like to thank my past club, current club Wisemans Park and their members who have helped me through my junior career and also to my first ever coaches Keith McDermott and Ken Hodges,” Mr Skinner said.
“I’d also like to thank Danny Osborn who has helped me throughout my bowling career and to my mum and dad, who without ,I wouldn’t have been able to travel to all the places I’ve played, and to even play as much bowls as I’m lucky to have played over the years,” Mr Skinner said.
Skinner will play his last junior event at this year’s Australian U’18 Championships to be held at Tuggeranong Valley Bowls Club in ACT from September 28-30.
