Bowls-loving teen took up the sport after diagnosis

A sport-loving teenager who turned to bowls after being diagnosed with a joint condition, wants to see more young people take up the game.

Thomas, from Bedfordshire, was diagnosed with Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) in 2023 after feeling his arm "pop" during a swimming competition.

He tried to carry on swimming and playing football, but things became "increasingly difficult" for him, so he took up bowls after attending an open-day at Leighton Buzzard Bowling Club.

The 16-year-old, whose ambition is to represent his country in the sport, said it was a shame that more young people do not play, because it is "a really competitive sport with a lot of skill and technique involved".

Thomas's condition affects the cartilage and bone and he has undergone surgery to his elbows and knees.

But such is his love for the game, he was back on the green less than two weeks after surgery on his knee, initially with his crutches and walking sticks, because he did not want to miss out on competing.

Mum, Carlene, said he was diagnosed following numerous appointments, investigations and tests.

"He experiences daily pain and his knee can give way," she said.

Before Thomas took up bowls, he thought it was mainly for older people.

Although he sometimes "gets a bit of stick from his peers", he said it does not really bother him because he gets to meet "lots of new people who are really kind to me."

Thomas would love to see more young people give it a go, as he said there are only about 10 under 25s who compete for Bedfordshire.

The teenager has represented Bedfordshire in the Eastern Counties League and the White Rose Trophy and has also competed in the Bedfordshire Under-25 Singles and Pairs competitions.

He was due to begin a Level 3 BTEC Sport qualification, using bowls as his chosen sport, but was advised it is not included on the list of recognised or accredited sports.

Carlene said this was "incredibly disappointing" as bowls is an "internationally recognised, competitive sport".

"If young people are unable to use the sport they dedicate themselves to within their education, this could create another barrier to attracting the next generation," she added.

Bowls England said it would lobby relevant stakeholders for future inclusion by exam boards.

The Department for Education said the issue is a matter for the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

Ofqual said it does not prescribe which sports are included within BTEC qualifications and the content of these qualifications is determined by the awarding organisation.

A spokesperson for Pearson, the awarding organisation, said: ''We are sorry that Thomas has been told he cannot use bowls as part of his BTEC Level 3 Sport qualification.

"Bowls is a recognised sport and can be used within the qualification which has no prescribed list of sports. Schools and colleges decide whether a chosen sport allows students to demonstrate the range of skills, techniques and tactics needed to access the full range of assessment criteria. They may advise students to select an alternative sport where they believe this is not possible.

"We are committed to supporting young people in pursuing sports they are passionate about and we are reaching out to the centre to explore all available options for Thomas.''

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