Great sport: Mustapha Conteh, left, and Ryan Arkley, right, with teacher Jay Harris

Published: 14 May, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

PUPILS from Camden Centre for Learning have quite literally been bowled over by their GCSEs after being given the chance to try a more unusual sporting venture ahead of the exams.

A team from the centre in Hampstead, including Mustapha Conteh and Ryan Arkley, admitted that their views on the sport had completely changed after they joined forces with members of Parliament Hill Bowling Club to actually try it. 

“I thought it was for old people and would not be fun. But it was very fun and competitive. It’s a great sport to play,” said Ryan. 

Reflecting on his new-found skills, team-mate Mustapha added: “I watched it on YouTube and thought it looked boring. But it was a lot more fun than I thought. You need patience while waiting for your turn, and it teaches you sportsmanship. 

“It was really good to play different sports that work different parts of the body.” 

At practice

Overall the boys’ success on the green will account for up to 20 per cent of their final GCSE marks, with another 20 per cent coming from a table tennis project they’ve also been involved in. 

They can gain a further 40 per cent of their final marks from a sports exam tomorrow (Friday), and the last 20 per cent is marked according to a personal exercise programme that they have to put together. 

Curriculum teacher Jay Harris said he was delighted with how well the pupils have done. 

“Lawn bowls is something that I have taught previously in Australia and I have found that it is something that young people really enjoy,” he said.  

“Most students aren’t interested in the sport when I initially tell them what we will be playing but after the first session it is obvious that most, if not all the students really enjoy it. 

“It’s not uncommon to hear a student say that ‘it’s a lot better than I thought it would be’. 

“I highly recommend lawn bowls for young people. It not only allows for them to learn the physical and tactical areas of a sport that they wouldn’t have otherwise played, but it also holds core values like sportsmanship, respect and etiquette.” 

• To find out more about what’s on offer at Parliament Hill Bowling Club email club secretary Paul Mennell at paul.mennell@btinternet.com for details.