Men’s bowling section vice president, Carl Spilker said he had set up the day to encourage a new legion of bowlers in the Southern Highlands.

“We’re trying to encourage more people to get involved and we're trying to expose the sport to juniors within the community and encourage them to join in,” Mr Spilker said.

“We’re wanting to hold it every year and invite not only a male representative but also a female representative from the Australian squad,” he said.

Read More:

While it was a first for the bowling club, it was also the first time Mr Teys had attended such an event as a professional player.

“It’s great because the game has a lot more exposure. I think the game has taken off again in the last few years,” he said.

In 2013, the Bowls Premier League (BPL) competition was founded as a way to popularise the sport by creating a modernised ‘made-for-TV’ format.

“BPL tries to have a bit more fun, a lot of lights, a lot of music. Not just the normal quiet game in whites. It’s televised by Fox Sports so a lot more people can watch it now, it’s not just live streamed where only a few people can see it,” Mr Teys said.

Since then, more people have become reacquainted with their local bowling clubs, a place Mr Teys’ said started his career.

“A lot of relatives from my mum’s and dad’s side all played. I’d go down with them for a game a couple times a week, on weekends or after school,” he said.

Mr Spilker encouraged young Highlanders to get involved with the sport, which has a unique path to become a professional and representative player.

“It’s a unique sport in the way the way it’s organised; you can progress to represent Australia just by winning events at your local club,” he said.

“Two girls here today are part of the junior development squad, which is their first step to representation status.”

Sign up for our weekly newsletter…