10 Year Old Boy Wins Men’s Title at Silverstream International

For the past few years, leaders in lawn bowling have been looking to open it up to younger generations and change the perception of the sport. This weekend, a 10-year-old boy by the name of Seamus Curtin took great strides to do just that when he won the men’s title in the Silverstream International Tournament. After winning three games and drawing on one, Curtin was tied with one other player; however, he ended up taking home first place after beating all other opponents with his combined points total.

It’s no surprise that Curtin found his way to the bowls’ greens early in life. In fact, he’s been playing since the age of three. His parents are also big bowls players, and Seamus has grown up watching them take over the greens in their own right. His parents always knew that he’d be a player some day, but they had no idea that their son would be making this kind of news this early in his life, or any kind of bowls career that he may want to pursue.

Seamus Curtin also isn’t just making a name for himself – he’s also inspired another boy his age to take on the sport as well, and the Plimmerton Club has also begun talking to Aotea College, in hopes that they can also bring in lawn bowling to interest younger people. The President of the Plimmerton Club and Seamus’ mother, Rachel Wybourne-Curtin, has stated that while they were looking to get younger people interested in the sport, her son’s age is still about 30 or 40 years younger than the audience the club had originally been targeting; but she’s very happy for it and for the recent publicity Seamus’ win has given lawn bowling in the area, especially to younger people.

But, she’s also very happy with her son, Seamus. As winner of the tournament, Seamus won a $50 sports voucher and a sports bag.