European Youth Championships-Larkin Shows Just How Much Talent There Is In Irish Bowling
Sarah Finlay also put in a top performance to make the Masters and finish inside the top 16 as England's Autumn Chamberlain went on to take the crown.
The achievement is put into real prespective when you consider this is the first time Ireland has had two representatives in the Masters at an EYC event since 1983.
Larkin only just managed to qualify for the Masters after finishing in 24th place, the final spot for the Masters. She then knocked out the number one seed before eventually coming up just short at the final stage.
It truly was a terrific performance from Larkin, who at only sixteen years of age showed a mature head on young shoulders to handle all the pressure which comes with playing in the final stages of an international event.
On the boys side of things it was a solid performance from all four, with special mention having to go to Taylor Nally, who started the tournament strongly and unfortunately just ran out of steam in the final stages before the Masters qualification was decided. Nally eventually finished in a very respectable 48th place and there certainly is reason for hope for this young man's future.
To have two players in the Masters section of an EYC event is fantastic news for the prospects of the sport in Ireland, with worries over the last few years that the sport may not even survive on an international level for Irish bowlers due to concerns over the future of the Irish Tenpin Bowling Association.
Hopefully the efforts of Larkin, Finlay and all the members of the girls and boys teams in Munich will show people in this country that there is superb talent coming up in the game, and hopefully re-awaken the appetite of any who have lost their passion and interest for the sport.
Huge congratulations to all involved in the efforts of the Irish teams in the EYC in Munich over the past week and in the preperation over the previous weeks.
For all the results check out www.eyc.bowling-em.de, the official EYC website.
USBC Youth jerseys will have a new look
USBC Youth
Jerseys are a member benefit in certified USBC Youth Standard leagues. International Bowling Congress Director of Youth Development Chad Murphy said the new design will appeal to teenagers and be exciting for younger bowlers as well.
"The jerseys have been a tremendous hit with our youth members for the last two seasons and this latest design might prove to be even more popular," Murphy said. "Kids are not only wearing them at their leagues but everywhere they go."
The new jerseys also include logos from two of bowling's top ball brands. Storm is represented on the left sleeve and Ebonite on the right sleeve.
"Storm and Ebonite stepped up with tremendous support of youth bowling through the YES Fund," Murphy said. "Adding them to the jersey was a way of saying thanks and a design element that gives a pro jersey feel kids really like."
The new design features red, blue and black colors on the athletic jersey. USBC Youth Standard memberships purchased after March 15, 2011, will receive the jersey and Adult Leaders soon will be able to go onto BOWL.com to purchase their jerseys for $20.
The jerseys will continue to have an open design on the back so they can be personalized by leagues and individuals.
USBC started the jersey program as part of USBC Youth Standard membership at the start of the 2009-10 season.