Bowling for glory

Two local lane legends are ready to bowl over their competitors this July at the 2024 World Youth Championships in South Korea.

Hannah Clark, 20, and Jackson Buckingham, 18, were selected by Tenpin Bowling Australia to represent the country at what is considered the Olympics of professional bowling.

Both players regularly train at Logan City Tenpin, a bowling centre that has become a hub for local bowling enthusiasts and the home of numerous state and national champs.

This will be Hannah’s second time at a world championship, following her debut in Sweden in 2022.

‘It’s really exciting to represent Australia again and I’m looking forward to seeing how good the new ones are,’ she says.

In preparation for the competition, the two have been spending many hours training early in the morning, late at night and on weekends.

‘I don’t have much free time, but bowling has taken me to so many places and I’m excited to go overseas with some of my close friends,’ Jackson says.

‘My goal is to beat my best mate, Blake, and compete in America at some point.’

Meanwhile, Hannah hopes to scoop another medal after winning bronze at last year’s Asian Youth Championships in Thailand.

Logan City Tenpin manager Janine Buckingham has worked behind the scenes for years, ensuring young bowlers like Hannah and Jackson have access to development opportunities.

‘It’s heart-wrenching that our sport doesn’t get as much exposure, because our kids put in the same amount of effort and it costs them more because they have to practise in a centre,’ she says.

‘Their dreams are my dreams, so I try to help them even if it’s just a little bit.’

Janine has been instrumental in developing the close-knit and supportive bowling community at Logan City Tenpin, which has rallied together to fundraise for Hannah and Jackson’s trip to South Korea.

‘Everyone is family here – we’re called the Logan City Tenpin Wolves because we move in a pack,’ she says.

‘All of our bowlers support these kids because we’ve watched them grow up and we love watching them achieve their dreams.’

She emphasises that everyone is welcome at Logan City Tenpin, where national champions and athletes in wheelchairs can thrive in the same lane.

The environment is beginner-friendly, while more advanced bowlers can join the league to receive coaching and compete.

‘Not everybody can play football or cricket, but anyone can bowl,’ Janine says.

By June Ho

Learn more about Logan City Tenpin.