Welsh call for Footner
11:53am Thursday 26th January 2006 in Latest News By Andy Cryer
James Footner, 17, who has been selected to bowl for Wales Ref: 200620-19
BOWLING: JAMES Footner is dreaming of striking gold for Wales after being selected for the European Youth Ten-Pin Bowling championships in April.
The 17-year-old former Wootton Bassett pupil will be travelling to Copenhagen, Denmark, on April 8, looking to make his mark as part of a five-strong Welsh squad.
It will be his international debut, having narrowly missed out on selection for the England squad last year, but he travels to Denmark on the back of some notable successes at home. While not pinning his hopes on returning with a medal, the Swindon Bowling Club member and Wiltshire junior champion believes he has a realistic chance of honours.
He said: "My dream would be to win a gold medal, any medal would be unbelievable though.
"I'm not going to put that sort of pressure on myself though as this is my first appearance for Wales.
"I could do very well but the question will be whether or not I have the mental toughness for the big occasion. It will be a great experience whatever happens and I just can't wait for it all to happen."
Footner, of Braden Stoke nr Lyneham, qualifies for Wales through his Welsh dad Roger and will be competing in the team event and as an individual after coming through a series of tough trials.
"There were three qualifying events," he said. "Eight people have initially been selected into the squad but that will be knocked down to five in time for the Championships.
"Because I qualified in the top three I have gained automatic selection and am guaranteed my place which is a weight off my mind."
Footner, who is currently studying Countryside Management at Lackham College, started thinking of it as a sport while playing a couple of frames with his friends at the MegaBowl, Shaw Ridge.
"I used to go there and play with my mates just for something to do," he said. "I never really thought of it as a sport until I saw the club practising there. I asked the coach all about it and he suggested I gave it a try. I did and it has all gone from there."
He averages 180 per frame with his highest score being 235.
