MARTHAM Bowls Club continues to develop its initiative with young people after the successful launch of a junior club last season, with the appointment of Jane Rush as junior team manager.

MARTHAM Bowls Club continues to develop its initiative with young people after the successful launch of a junior club last season, with the appointment of Jane Rush as junior team manager.

Mrs Rush has coached youth in all sports for over 30 years, from beginners to county and national standard. She joins Child Protection Officer Susan Moore and other qualified club coaches to introduce and develop the game at youth level.

The club also announced the establishment of the George Dyball Bursary, in memory of the late George Dyball. George was a keen bowler who entered the game in the early Seventies with the then Hall Road Club and helped to lay that green in 1972. Some 30 years later, he worked with other members to provide the new bowls green on the Martham playing field in 2005.

The bursary aims to help teach and encourage youth to engage in the game, and will benefit young people in the community. The fund will be managed by members who have been cleared to work with children and supported by the club's management committee.

Working with Martham Primary School, the club will again welcome over 30 youngsters from Years 5 and 6 in June, for four afternoon coaching sessions during the month. The club hopes to double the membership of the junior section this summer. Membership is free to those in full time education.

Coaching during the winter continued at Acle Indoor Bowls Club for those who were keen to improve their game.

Martham's 15-year-old Jessica Ward proved the benefit of this, when she and Katherine Rednall from Suffolk came away with silver in the North Walsham Indoor Bowls club's Easter Tournament. Jessica and Katherine finished runners-up in the junior pairs.