Bowling: Tauranga Boys' College bowler claims NZ school title and eyes up BOP senior championship

Tauranga Boys' College student Anthony Ouellet is a champion bowler, and no stranger to accolades in the sport. Photo / Supplied

Keeping his cool on the green is vital for 17-year-old champion bowler Anthony Ouellet.

The Tauranga Boys' College student won the National Secondary School Bowls Championships singles title in Auckland on March 27 when he topped the field of 42 boys, beating Rosehill College bowler Lee Warburton in straight sets in the final.

"I thought I had a shot but didn't think I would end up winning," Ouellet says.

"I was really calm about it and I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be. I focused as much as I could and not let other things bother me. I just told myself to not overact because it can be a frustrating game."

Anthony is no stranger to accolades in the sport - he also holds the Bay of Plenty Schools title and won his Bowls Tauranga South Club's singles title, the latter earning him a place at the Bay of Plenty Champion of Champions event in Rotorua this Saturday and Sunday.

"They have a few tricks those guys and there will be some really good players there. I am excited about playing."

Anthony says he started playing bowls after attending indoor bowls with his grandparents. He is now a member of the Bowls Tauranga South Club, which coaches up to 100 Tauranga Boys' College students per year towards sport credits for NCEA.

"When I started college, I went to outdoor bowls. I was hooked on it and just kept on playing. I am a competitive person and the camaraderie is great.

"I am definitely the youngest in the club and there is a bit of teasing, but it is all fun.

"When I tell people I play bowls, no one really plays it at my age, so I have to explain it."

Like many sports, bowls has produced a new format in Bowls3Five which can feature a set number of ends, a shot clock, double points and a tie-breaker ends.

"They are trying to encourage a faster format and for TV it is amazing, it is engaging and very good to watch. We had a Bowls3Five format at the club and everyone seemed to enjoy it."