Alisha George is the surprise packet of the Bowls Victoria metropolitan pennant competition.
At first glance, some might underestimate the 11-year-old when she strolls up to the greens for Saturday competition.
But it doesn’t take them long to realise this is no ordinary youngster.
George was recently selected in the Bowls Victoria under-18 gold squad, made up of the best junior bowlers in the state.
The representative honour comes just 18 months into her young career after she started bowling for her mother Sarah’s Wednesday night team.
“Her dad and I play and she has been going down to the club since she was born,” Sarah said.
“About a year and a half ago she decided to start playing our twilight bowls down at Melton on a Wednesday night.
“She really liked it and has been coached by a man named Dave Harvey.
“He has kind of taken her under his wing and showed her how to play properly. She’s taken it up pretty quickly.”
George will now train regularly with the gold squad members and then, with more experience, is expected to press her claim for selection in Victorian representative sides.
In the meantime, she will continue to front up for Melton, where she’s also part of the club’s division 6 pennant team and forms a formidable pair with her mother.
“I’ve skippered her a couple times, but I just play third now,” Sarah said.
“She just goes for her life.
“Everyone is really proud of her. It’s really exciting that she has done so well for someone so young.”
