FOR decades the sport of bowls has been seen as an ‘old persons sport’, especially by those of us who grew up in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, but the sport is far from being that now with many of its best exponents far from retirement age.

Grangeburn Bowling Club has one of the youngest to have taken up the sport with Evie Rhook (nine) taking to the rink in the last 12 months following in the footsteps of her family, as her father and grandparents from both sides of the family also play.

She was only eight years old when she first bowled in the clubs’ Corporate Cup competition back in October 2023 and since then she has grabbed the opportunity to play the sport with both hands.

As in most Corporate Cup competitions in all sports, there is an easy-going element, and nobody batted an eyelid when the youngster lined up on the mat after sitting on the sidelines watching on.

Evie took to the sport with ease and is being guided through the initial stages of her learning by Grangeburn members, Janette Ryan, Kerry Schultz, Anthony Edwards, and Kerry Campbell who are aiding the youngster with all the fundamentals of here chosen sport.

“I like the sport a lot,” Rhook said.

“I enjoy getting to meet and play against new friends.

“I was watching Dad and Mum playing the Corporate Cup and I wanted to have a go and they said I could and here we are.

“I’m yet to play competitive bowls but I’m really looking to take the sport up competitively, but at this stage I’m just playing in the Corporate Cups and social bowls.

“Although none of my friends play, they know that I do, and they think it’s cool that I do.”

Evie and her dad, Adrian, both took up the sport at the same time and they enjoy it so much they are now signed up to play more than just Corporate Cup competitions as both now have their own set of bowls, with Evie’s being scaled down to fit her hands.

Judging by her form on the rink it won’t be long before she is donning the Grangeburn uniform and hopefully defeating those opponents much older than she is, and who knows, she may be starting out on a lifelong sporting career.