While her classmates look on, Sami Luinenburg, a Grade 10 student at Osoyoos Secondary School, gives lawn bowling a try. (Richard McGuire photo)
They may not be regulars at the Osoyoos Lawn Bowling Club, but a group of Grade 10 students from Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) appeared to be having fun last Thursday afternoon.
This was the second time in recent days that students from phys ed teacher Nicole Johnson’s second semester Grade 10 class have tried rolling balls across the lawn next to the Osoyoos Seniors Centre.
Club President Naga Terada is pleased to have the students there. He’s long wanted to attract younger players to a sport more often thought of as one for seniors.
“This is part of the promotion and we figured the best way to do that is to get the school kids engaged,” said Terada. “They are structured there (in school), and we want to take advantage of that.”
This group is the first from OSS, Terada said.
“We’re trying to make lawn bowling interesting,” he said. “We wanted to make it a fun thing, but at the same time teach the basic rules of lawn bowling.”
Johnson said she was in the office of OSS Principal Mike Safek when Terada visited him to pitch the idea.
“I thought the Grade 10s would be an excellent choice because they are a little more mature,” she said. “So I decided to bring this class up because they are a fantastic group and they pick up on everything.”
Johnson said the sport can appeal to young people as well as seniors.
“I think because it’s similar to bocce and they’ve played bocce before,” she said. “They picked up on it quickly and they’re realize that it is not just for older people.”
Like her classmates, student Sami Luinenburg said this was her first experience with lawn bowling.
“It’s fun and it’s easy to learn,” she said.
Fellow student Ali Hutter said she also found lawn bowling to be a lot of fun.
“I’ve done curling and stuff which is somewhat similar,” said Hutter. “This is very different and it’s a lot harder because it’s weighted, but I enjoyed it… I thought it was going to be easier, but it was really hard, but it was fun and they taught us very well.”
Both Luinenburg and Hutter said they might try lawn bowling again. And both agree it’s an activity that can appeal to all ages.
Terada said he hopes to organize another lawn bowling session for the OSS students in the fall.
“Only this time maybe a little more serious about the game,” he said. “More competition.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
