Sara’s set out so well in short mat bowls and outdoor bowls!
At 16 years of age Sara John-Davies plays short-mat bowls on a regular basis with Freystrop Short Mat Bowls Club and outdoor bowls with Haverfordwest Bowling Club - and has already been involved for Wales in both sports!
In fact, the day before our chat Sara had been thrilled to receive an e-mail calling her into the main Pembrokeshire team to play in the Tri County Challenge competition between the top county teams from England, Ireland and Wales, this year competed for in Newry, Ireland, with dad Haydn and big brother James (19) also included.
Family matters
Haydn has played short mat for 11 years after encouragement from the late Roy Banner, is now fixture secretary of the county short mat league, as well as vice-chairman at Haverfordwest Bowling Club, whilst James started out just two years later as a nine year old, has played short mat for the Welsh 'A' team and under 21s, plus the Welsh Under 25 Academy team and Pembrokeshire out of doors.
Not to be outdone, mum Gaynor not
only supplies brilliant support but is now playing on the old 'If you can't beat 'em, join 'em' basis at Freystrop - and grandfather, Ken Davies, has started playing at 85 years of age!
Early introduction
Sara started out in short mat bowls
because her father and brother were involved at Hook Short Mat Bowls Club in 2009, just nine years old and enjoying it straight away after being warmly welcomed by the likes of Jonathan Gladstone, Paul and Andrew Hudson.
At first she played for the President's team (the second side where youngsters gain experience and are helped out by old timers) and since then has moved on to play for the first team at Freystrop, as well as being ever-ready to help out with the President's team.
Encouragement from top bowlers
Joining her in the team are Margaret Lewis and Ann Thomas, who both are excellent outdoor bowlers (with Ann as the current Welsh ladies' president outdoors) and both encouraged Sara to try the game - and has also taken to it like a duck to water as she plays r
egularly for Haverfordwest Picton (the club also has a Taskers team since they have so many players!)
"I have had great support from Ann and Margaret, plus Pam Langdon," said Sara "who is going to be county president next year for all the great work she has done.
She uses the same woods for both sports, with two needed indoors and all four outdoors, and one wouldn't miss her in play because they are size two Thomas Taylor Internationals in a bright pink colour that is called 'Raspberry Ripple'!
Sara showed how much progress she has made in the outdoor season just finished by reaching Haverfordwest finals' week in several competitions, including success in the Ladies' Two-Wood Finals as she beat Julie Thorpe 15-9.
Winning ways with Marley
Then she joined Marley Hughes in winning the Ted Chugg Cup for Mixed Pairs, beating Julie and her husband Keith in the final set after losing the first 7-0. She was denied a win hat-trick, however, as she joined forces with Haydn and James but they lost to Julie and Keith, plus Roger Price in the Mixed Triples!
At county level, Sara just missed out in the two-wood singles final as she lost to Sue Roden (Saundersfoot) and had a runners-up medal as she was in the county Ladies' team which just missed out in the Savagar Cup, for all the Welsh Counties teams.
Then Sara also reached the last four of the Welsh Under 18s singles as she beat Welsh international Alice Button before losing to another Welsh representative in Lauren Gowan - and her performances were recognised by the fact that she has already been selected for the Welsh Under 25s squad to play the other Home Countries at Bridgend in 2016.
Enjoyed cricket at Neyland
Outside of her bowling, Sara has also played cricket for Neyland and Pembrokeshire as a useful bowler under the watchful eye of Jackie Williams,
"I achieved my Dragon Levels One and Two and went to three trials for the Welsh team at Ebbw Vale - and I was delighted to be picked for the squad for the under 14 team.
"But then I was playing on a friend's garden trampoline and broke my wrist - which meant that I was out of action for the rest of the season!"
Thanks given to coaches
Back on the short mat bowls' scene, Sara has been involved in the county junior team organised by Clive Law and Gordon Williams.
"They have been a great help," Sara told us, "and I have been lucky to have top coaching from Marley Hughes; a family friend who has really inspired me in my play, especially with tactics and my mental approach, plus Michael Harries.
"Then there's Barry Sambrook, the Welsh under 21 manager, Mikey John (Whitland) as vice-captain and selector, as well as Aled Humphreys as captain.
"I have also had total support from my family and at Tasker Milward School from Mr Richard Jones and Mr Anthony Llewellyn. I take GCSE Sport as part of my courses with Mr Andy Barlow, and I hope to be a Sports Journalist when I am older."
More experience gained
Back on the short mat bowls front, Sara started the year well by gaining selection for the county under 16s singles and after regular practice on Sundays and regular midweek games she was part of the Freystrop teams which came runners-up in the main and president's leagues, as well as collecting a number of league trophies.
"I joined dad and James in qualifying twice for the Red Card Triples Finals which are held in Llandrindod Wells," Sara said, " and although we didn't win it was very much a part of my learning curve because it was a 'Round Robin' event and we played lots of games.
"At county level I reached the under 16s final before losing by a single shot to Cameron Kilminster and I went on to represent Pembrokeshire, with Cameron, and reached the semi-finals of the Welsh Under 16s pairs.
Winning ways and fund-raising too
"In May I played for Wales against England under 21s at Ashby de la Zouch, and we beat them for the seventh year on the trot. It was my third appearance and it's nice to think that if I keep it up I still have another five years in the team, starting next year in Carmarthen!"
It is also good to report that Sara is the youngest qualified umpire in the county, and perhaps a coach one day when she can find the time - and has raised money for good causes. She walked with a friend for a young lad called Kieran, from Haverfordwest to Rosemarket, and they raised over £300, and walked up Penyfan for Breast Cancer and Welsh Female Bowls.
"There were 16 of us and it was hard going but I managed to do it in five hours - but dad only managed a third of the way so I showed him how tough the John-Davies females are!"
Such humour is typical of a young lady who enjoys being part of her sporting activities and taking part whenever she can - and we can only say that we wish Sara John-Davies every success because she is a credit to her family, her club, county and Wales in short mat bowling and outdoor bowls.