Daniel Webb nurtures new era of tenpin bowling champions

At first glance, tenpin bowling and gardening may not seem to have a great deal in common, but success in both fields is a passion for Gilead’s Daniel Webb.

Daniel Webb, 24, says time and effort is the key to success in tenpin bowling and gardening. Pictures: Chris Pavlich

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AT  FIRST glance, tenpin bowling and gardening may not seem to have a great deal in common, but success in both fields is a passion for Gilead’s Daniel Webb.

Mr Webb, 24, is a talented tenpin bowling player and now coach.

Inspired by his grandfather Frank Hoffmann, a past president of Campbelltown Orchid Club, Mr Webb was asked to be the guest speaker at Ingleburn Horticultural Society and Garden Club’s meeting last week.

Mr Webb said he spoke to the garden club members about the orchid variety phalaenopsis, which puts on an impressive floral display and can be grown indoors.

Much like his desire to develop the sport of tenpin bowling in the Macarthur region, Mr Webb said the secret to having a blooming garden was putting in the time and effort.

Daniel Webb, 24, is a talented tenpin bowling player and coach who also has a passion for gardening.

“If you do that, you’ll get lots of flowers but if you neglect them you’ll end up with weeds,” Mr Webb said.

His philosophy is proving to be effective and shows the future of tenpin bowling in the Macarthur region is in good hands.

Mr Webb has been tenpin bowling since he could walk and the sport has set him on a rewarding career path and helped him travel the globe.

He started bowling in his first league at age 3½.

Today, more than 20 years on, he has travelled to more than 30 countries as a competitor and proudly represented Australia and NSW.

He coaches the South West Sydney Academy of Sport, Australian and NSW junior teams.

“I got my first (coaching) gig with the Australian national junior team when I was 22,” he said.

Tenpin bowling is a family affair and Mr Webb is also the regional manager of his family’s business Interbowl Australia which has tenpin bowling centres in Leumeah, Windsor, Bateau Bay and Gosford.

A qualified high school teacher, Mr Webb also runs the Leumeah bowling centre which has 800 league players and close to 130 juniors.

He said growing the family business and coaching were his priorities.

“I want to increase our number of bowling centres, promote the sport side of things and get more people interested in playing the sport,” he said.

Mr Webb got into coaching after younger players started asking for his advice.

“I wanted to make sure I helped them with the right information so I went over to the USA to do a few coaching courses, ” he said.

Mr Webb grew up next to Astro Lanes, the tenpin bowling centre in Queen St, Campbelltown, which his dad Kevin managed.

“All the people there, I knew them all. They are like a family. The people I have met there and the connections are the main reasons I stay,” he said.

At the end of this year, he will coach the Australian junior team at a championship in Malaysia.

Mr Webb said the Leumeah bowl was also home to some talented disabled athletes who were competing at the highest level.

“Tenpin bowling can be played in any weather and all year round,” he said.

“Anyone can bowl, regardless of ability.”