Darcy reaches Riverina bowls level

Turning 14 this month and in Year 8, Darcy attended trials in Wagga last Tuesday.

“I played three games with one win, one draw and one loss,” he said.

“There were about 14 kids in it for the high school competition, for 13 to 18 year olds.”

“There are two teams of four for the Riverina.”

Deni RSL Bowls Club president Tony Tonta said Darcy’s lawn bowls development has gone from strength-to-strength since getting his start through the club’s junior bowls program.

“It’s his second year of pennant, and third year of playing,” Tonta said.

“He started at a come and try session, which we’d like to put on again, and he has also taken part in a few junior programs.

“His hard work is definitely starting to pay off, but for juniors they have got to play in tournaments to improve.

“They can practice all they want to down here and have fun, but until they start playing in competitions it is hard for them to test themselves.

“There are a couple of good junior players coming through.

“We try to take them down to Moama and competitions all around, including Barham, Echuca, Wakool and around here.

“The Campaspe Cannons are the junior development team for Echuca, Moama and Shepparton area, but they tend to just pick the eyes out, rather than help develop talent from around the area.”

Tonta said Darcy has had success competitively, and been a great addition to the pennant sides in the past few years.

“In the recent season of pennant, he had a fair few wins in Division 2 and a couple of seasons ago he was 12 and was a part of the team that won a pennant,” Tonta said.

“Some of his best mates are over 70 and 80 years old, and he gets on with them really well.”

Darcy’s dad Scott said the Riv team will play in Sydney this winter.

“He’s scheduled to compete in Blacktown, Sydney on June 3, 4 and 5.”

Darcy was clear that he’s “enjoying it”, with Scott confirming he’s keen.

“He plays a fair bit; most weekends he’s doing some form of bowls.”