Junior star prepares to face Queensland's best

Junior bowler says calm mental attitude the key to good play

RISING STAR: North Toowoomba Bowls Club player Jake Rynne will compete at the Queensland Junior Championships over the coming week. Picture: Bev Lacey

LAWN BOWLS: Jack Rynne has skill and experience well beyond his youthful years.

On the greens since the age of five, the 15-year-old North Toowoomba Bowls Club member has his fair share of medals and titles.

However, the Dalby talent will take nothing for granted when he competes at the Queensland Junior Championships over the coming week.

"My coaches always tell me lawn bowls is 80% mental and 20% physical,” Rynne said.

"If you can't get it right up top, you can't get right on the green.

"There's obviously a physical element to it - you have to be able to play your shots and be consistent - but you need to be calm and have the right attitude as well.”

Often in action against players two and three times his age - Rynne said his love for the sport kept him coming back.

"My kindy took us down to local club when I was five,” Rynne said. "I really enjoyed it, and when I found out my grandpa played as well I loved it even more.

"It's a great sport. Where else could a seven-year-old kid play against people in their 70s or 80s and be competitive.

"You meet great people and it's a lot of fun as well. I always say I started when I was five and I'll probably finish when I'm 95.”

Starting today, Rynne will be in action on the Sunshine chasing singles, pairs, triples and fours glory.

"This will be my sixth junior titles,” he said. "I think my best performance of two golds and a silver out of four events - it'd be nice to get something like that again.

"It's all good fun, though too. Being a Dalby boy it's nice to be able to go the coast, play bowls, catch up with friends and visit the beach between competitions.”

Originally published as Junior star prepares to face Queensland's best