New Mills teen caps off first season with league honour

Daniel Beard, a member a Trades Hall Bowling Club, has enjoyed his first season of competition since taking up the sport 12 months ago.

The 15-year-old was introduced to bowls by his dad, a former player, and now competes up to four times a week across Derbyshire.

He has also been selected to join up with the Derbyshire Juniors U18s squad and mum Diane believes the sport has had a positive influence.

She said: “He really enjoys the sport. His dad used to play a long time ago and a friend of his asked him to come along to practice. He took Daniel down and they asked him to come back!

“It’s great because it gets him out the house, away from his X-Box and doing something he enjoys. It’s certainly helped him become more sociable and he’s even helping out too. He’ll mark up and peg out and get involved. It’s not just an older man’s game.”

And added: “He likes to compete and the people there at the club. He’ll go off and have a chat with one of the other members in between playing, even though the majority of them are a lot older than him.”

Daniel, a Year 11 Chapel High School pupil, is studying for his GCSEs and is keen sportsman, having played football, cricket and hockey.