TEENAGER Isaac Rayner is proof lawn bowls isn't just for the "old fellas" says Rules Club bowls president Keith Wellham.
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One half of the remarkable Rules Club team that eclipsed the Royal NSW Bowling Association State champion of champions' pairs title, Rayner was only 15 at the time of the triumph.
In November, Rayner teamed with his coach, and lawn bowls mentor, Dave Ferguson, to pull off a stunning victory over 15 other quality combinations from across NSW.
Rayner and Ferguson's giant-killing performance not only made them the toast of the lawn bowls fraternity in the city, but also earned an historic gong in the Wagga Sports Awards last night
For the first time since the inception of the Wagga Sports Awards in 2006-07, Ferguson and Rayner were able to put lawn bowls firmly in the sporting spotlight.
Despite formidable opposition from sports including rugby league, Australian football and rugby union, Rayner and Ferguson eclipsed the coveted Senior Team of the Year title at the award's ceremony at the Commercial Club.
Reflecting on Rayner and Ferguson's success, Keith Wellham last night described it "richly deserved".
"They had to beat the best pairs from 15 other zones to get it," Wellham said.
"It was great achievement.
"The opposition was the best around."
Significantly, Wellham is adamant Ferguson and Rayner's triumph was a massive step forward for lawn bowls in the city.
"I know it lifted the players in our club (Rules)," he said.
"It gave the club and the city terrific exposure."
Wellham said Ferguson, who is employed as bowls coordinator at the Rules Club, worked overtime to enhance the bowls landscape in Wagga.
"He's there to try to lift the standard, and to encourage people to take up lawn bowls," Wellham said.
"He's doing a good job."
Ferguson's prowess as a coach was the inspiration for Rayner to shift his lawn bowls base from Coolamon to Wagga.
Under Ferguson's astute guidance, Rayner has blossomed into a rising star of the sport, climaxed by national selection.
Wellham said Rayner was shining example that lawn bowls was not just a pastime for the elderly.
"I think he inspires other young people to play lawn bowls," Wellham said.
'It's definitely not just for the old fellas."
Amid a room full of Wagga's best and brightest sports people at the Commercial last night, Rayner and Ferguson were definitely not out place.
Nearly 200 guests attended the awards, which were hosted by Graeme White.
Former Parramatta, NSW and Kangaroos prop Michael Vella and GWS Giants chief operating officer traveled from Sydney to present the awards.