Pretty blonde, Aimee Schnetler, dispels the myth that bowls is for boring old men who still want to play marbles.
The 16-year-old is one of two junior Springbok bowlers selected to represent South Africa in the Junior Commonwealth Games in Samoa this September.
Aimee was at the Dundee Bowling Club on Saturday for the Ardnt/Slabbert Pairs tournament, along with dad, Hennie and mum, Petro.
“Our family are all keen bowlers. They played at the Colenso Club and when I was 11 my dad got me to play in a fun day. I have been hooked every since,” said Aimee, who attends Tugela High School in Newcastle.
The family moved up to Northern KZN in February. One of her mentors is Hannalie Arndt, a Dundee bowler, who managed the Northern KZN Country Districts Junior team last year when they won the championships in Pietermaritzburg – a team which included Aimee.
“I practice every day on the greens and I have to complete a certain routine and report to the national coach, “ she said, adding that she cannot wait to represent her country overseas.
Rowan Watkins of the Southern Free State will partner her. Her dad, Hennie, says the family is very proud of Aimee. “Bowls is a young man’s sport that old people can also play – do not be fooled by that!,” he smiled