LAWN bowlers Darren Weir and Carla Banks are the first two members of the Scottish team to claim their places for the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa this September.
Over the past six weeks, 124 young bowlers from across Scotland have battled it out for just two spots.
Weir, 15, from Prestwick and Banks, 16, from Inverurie cemented their selection at the finals earlier this month. They will each compete in singles and then team up for a mixed pairs event in Samoa.
Banks, who plays at Garioch Indoor Bowling Club and on the outdoor greens at Inverurie Bowling Club, brings a wealth of experience having represented Scotland at both under-17 and under-25 level for the past three seasons.
"Today means everything to me," she said. "It's the best thing that has happened so far in my life. I was really nervous going into each game but I gained more confidence with each one.
"They were all very close games and all could have gone either way, so I'm happy I managed to stick in and win. Going to Samoa will be an amazing opportunity, a tick off my bucket list."
Weir was equally buoyed, describing it as by far the best achievement of his sporting career to date. "The qualifying stage wasn't easy, never mind getting to the final and finishing 21-19," he said. "But it was a great opportunity to get to Samoa, I feel very proud."
Weir, who plays at Kincaidston and Belmont Bowling Club outdoors and Prestwick Ambassador Indoor Bowling Club, will now head to Ireland next month as part of the Scottish Young Bowlers Association under-17 team for his first taste of international competition.
It is anticipated that Scotland will send a 40-strong squad to the Youth Games from September 5-11.
Those taking part range in age from 13-18 and Scotland will compete in eight of the nine sports on the programme: aquatics, archery, athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, squash, tennis and weightlifting.
Sporting stars that have come through the Youth Games and progressed to win medals at the Commonwealth Games include boxer Charlie Flynn and Josh Taylor who took gold at Glasgow 2014.
Others include swimmers Hannah Miley and Robbie Renwick, gymnasts Daniel Keatings and Adam Cox, badminton players Kirsty Gilmour and Imogen Bankier, athlete Lynsey Sharp and shooter Jennifer McIntosh.
Alan McMillan, Bowls Scotland CEO, said: "We are satisfied we have left no stone unturned in our rigorous selection process to find the two best bowlers to represent Youth Team Scotland.
"We congratulate Carla and Darren for showing great determination and stamina to win the selection finals and we are delighted to see them taking their places."
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