Daniel Perrella has been selected to represent Australia in bowling

DANIEL Perrella was just five years old when he first picked up a bowling ball. He is now set to represent Australia in the sport.

Daniel Perrella represented Victoria in the Junior Nationals in Ten Pin Bowling. Picture: Penny Stephens

DANIEL Perrella was just five years old when he first picked up a bowling ball.

“I was watching my older brother Matthew bowl and his coach asked me if I wanted to have a go,” he said.

The youngster was a natural and now, at 18, is ranked as the second best junior ten pin bowler in the country.

The Clarinda teen has also just been selected to compete with the Australian team in Taiwan later this year.

He has already achieved two perfect scores of 300 and received an All Stars award for being in the top five highest average for the males at the recent Junior Nationals held in Frankston.

“I love the competitiveness of the sport,” he said.

“I’ve met some great people and made lots of friends.”

Daniel Perrella with his huge haul of awards. Picture: Penny Stephens

He’s added some stamps to his passport too, with the sport taking him to Singapore and Malaysia.

Daniel plays in two leagues during the week and trains with his coach on weekends.

He’s also studying for his VCE. “School is important to me, I want to be a commercial pilot.”

He has dreams of one day competing in the US.

“But for now I’m just trying to be as good as I can.”

Daniel Perrella is a 2018 Leader Local Sports Star nominee. Local Sports Stars is supported by Sportsmart and Gold 104.3.

To nominate someone visit localsportsstars.com.au