YOUTH PROGRAMS

Bowl Northern Ontario provides a program for Youth Bowlers as well. There are tournaments to be bowled in almost every month of the bowling season, whether for the beginner, the novice, or the pro!

Bowling in a YBC (Youth Bowling Canada) league offers the member many benefits. Youngsters get ACTIVE with regular moderate exercise and improve their co-ordination, balance and motor skills. The team dynamics of bowling also helps improve social skills through positive interaction with peers. The concepts and importance of Sportsmanship and Fair Play are reinforced by coaches and volunteers. Bowlers also learn about setting personal goals for themselves and receive achievement awards throughout the season in recognition of personal and team accomplishments.

YBC offers Qualified Coaching in a fun and safe environment. Equal participation by all members, regardless of ability, is a key feature of the program and of a youngsters’ developing self-confidence. “Nobody sits on the bench”. YBC is also a perfect opportunity to learn the ideals of sport in a non-aggressive and friendly environment, whatever the age. Three (3) age divisions ensure youngsters are teamed up with children their own age and lead to the creation of many NEW FRIENDS and lots of FUN!

The registration fee for YBC is $20.00, which includes a $15.00 fee to the National Office to run the YBC nationally, plus an additional $5.00 which is kept by Bowl Northern Ontario to help run the provincial end of the YBC. The weekly costs vary per bowling centre, but it usually is anywhere from $5.00 to $12.00 per week (including bowling fees). Some leagues also charge a small registration fee for their own league which would cover the league’s banquet, trophies, fun parties, etc.

The bowling season lasts from September to late April usually. Leagues play once a week, most often on Saturdays, but many areas bowl on various days of the week to allow for working YBCers, holidays, etc. Almost all centres allow “bowl aheads or bowl-outs” so that your team is not hurt by your absence. Most YBC play 3 games, but the younger division quite often only plays 2 games, taking about 2 hours per week to bowl, depending on the size of the program. Many in-house tournaments are also available to help aid in the bowlers’ development and keep their interest.

All bowlers are given a handicap based on their ability, which ensures that everyone is on a level playing field. Everyone plays and contributes equally and the handicap system ensures that everyone is an important member of the team . . . in bowling, NO ONE WARMS THE BENCH!!!

The YBC is broken down into three age divisions, with the divisions as follows:
FIVE PIN       Bantams up to 10; Juniors 11 to 14; Seniors 15 to 19|
TEN PIN        Bantams up to 11; Juniors 12 to 14; Seniors 15 to 21
There is also a special program for those children under 7 specifically tailored to the very young.

When you register with YBC, you will also receive 12 free games of bowling (one per month) with your membership card.

Some centres are also equipped with wheelchair devices to aid in bowling for those physically challenged bowlers. And many of the centres also have Special Olympic programs available to bowlers, which provides extra assistance and attention needed, and the volunteers to help run this extremely important program.