Aimee goes for bowling gold at youth games

Approximately 1 000 athletes, nine days, one Newcastillian.

Bowling prodigy, 16-year-old Aimee Schnetler will represent South Africa and Newcastle at the fifth 2015 Youth Commonwealth Games.

She departs for Samoa at the end of the month.

With the Games set to start on September 9, Aimee explained her road from an amateur of 11 years old, to a budding Springbok ready to compete at an international level.

“I started bowling at 11. It’s a funny story because it started with my dad, Hendrik.”

Mr Schnetler wanted his daughter to join him playing bowls at Colenso, and despite her initial upset, she found the sport more likeable than first assumed.

After her third time, Aimee asked her father if she could affiliate to a club.

Following her fourth under-19 Development Tournament recently, KwaZulu-Natal Country Bowls president, Andy Crosbie asked Aimee if he could nominate her for the Commonwealth Games.

And, as they say, the rest is history.

“On Monday morning, we got the call I had made the Commonwealth squad.”

Aimee said emotions ran high after the news was received, stating it was fantastic considering she never had intensive training and was taught solely by her father.

“He showed me all I know about the sport.”

Among lessons learned, Aimee discovered how to read ahead on the green, coupled with her personality ability to shrug off negativity.

“If I lose, it doesn’t get to me.”

In preparation for the Youth Games, Aimee undergoes daily training and assessments under the eye of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

Aimee also watches the Commonwealth Games annually to learn more.

Asked what makes a successful bowler, Aimee said a person had to be friendly, a good loser, an extrovert and explorative in the sport.

“Bowls is not like other sports where you have to be fit; it’s a game of concentration, a mental game where you have to be focused each time you step onto the green.”

Continuing, Aimee said youths should not consider bowls an ‘old man’ sport, as the future top players were in demand at present.

“The perception isn’t true – don’t hesitate about it if you’re interested.”

Schoeman Botha, representing the Ncandu Bowls Club, said Aimee and her mother, Petro joined the club in April this year.

He said it was an honour to have them as members.

Mr Botha added the club was proud of Aimee for her selection to the Youth Commonwealth Games team, calling her a dedicated player who enjoyed the game much.

“She is a friendly and loveable person and is respected for her behaviour towards other members of our club. We wish her everything of the best for the tournament, and share in her excitement and joy.”