Caitlin Robinson proves lawn bowls can be a ‘fun’ and competitive game for juniors

JUNIOR Sports Star nominee and lawn bowls competitor Caitlin Robinson has been selected for the 2016 NSW Under-18 State Silver Squad.

Caitlin Robinson has been selected for a junior development squad in lawn bowls. Picture: David Swift

MUCH like her shiny, pink lawn bowl, youngster Caitlin Robinson is expected to go the distance in the sport.

Caitlin was selected for the 2016 NSW Under-18 State Silver Squad three weeks ago, based on the skills she showed at the Drakes Pride NSW Junior Tournament held at Warilla.

The 12-year-old, from Glenmore Park, plays mostly as a representative for Kingswood Sports Club — Easts, and regularly bowls at interzone competitions.

Caitlin’s father Simon said she joined the junior program two years ago.

“What we used to do was go and watch my mum play, and (Caitlin) was throwing the bowls around with me one afternoon and a coach said, ‘you should coach your daughter’,” Mr Robinson told the Penrith Press.

“She went and did coaching down there for 10 weeks on a Sunday morning.

“Then started doing competitions and getting really good — she is actually fantastic at it.”

Caitlin said: “It (bowls) was really fun”.

“I got taught by one of my coaches and it was difficult at first, probably getting the bias right, the way it (the lawn bowl) is going,” she said.

Mr Robinson said his daughter tried other sports, but they weren’t for her.

“The support she’s got, the communication from the club, and the opportunities she has been given ... especially for a junior in a so-called old people’s sport, is great,” he said.

The Junior Sports Star nominee practises every weekend, and said she always felt “happy and excited” when playing.

Caitlin said her dream was to represent the country.

“That would be awesome,” she said.

● Categories include Junior Sports Star, Young Sporting Spirit, Team Spirit and Service to Sport

● Rebel is a major sponsor, with Fox Sports Pulse and Simonds Homes

● Nominations are open and can be filled out online at juniorsportsstar.com.au