After a six year absence the re-introduced English Bowls Youth Development Scheme School of Excellence County Finals were held on 28th January at Horsham I.B.C.  The day comprised a round robin singles competition in the morning and a skills session in the afternoon.  The format was a 8-14 year-old Junior section and a 15-18 year-old Senior group and was attended by young bowlers from across the County, the majority of whom had been attending the new County Youth Academy throughout the year.  There were 10 entries in the Senior section and 16 entries in the Juniors.  Points from the morning and afternoon sessions were combined to identify semi-finalists in each group. 

The event was attended by SCBA President Vic Sherwood and his wife Ann, and the SCIBA President Peter Goode also attended briefly on his way to another appointment.

The round robin singles in the morning turned out to be very competitively contested in both groups and led to some exciting matches for the many parents present.  After a lunch break which allowed the coaches to set up the skills exercises on each rink, the competition continued with a very high level of achievement being registered by the majority of contestants.

After combining the point gained from the morning and afternoon sessions the semi-finalists were:-

Seniors         Reece Tugwell (Field Place)  v  Adam Tuffin (Southwick Park)

                    Daniel Watt (Egerton Park)  v  Emma Cooper (Egerton Park)

Juniors          James Brennan (Egerton Park)  v  Thomas Gater (Egerton Park)

                    Jack Till (Falaise)  v  Joanna Watt (Egerton Park)

These produced a Senior Final between Reece Tugwell and Emma Cooper which Reece won 10-3 and a Junior Final between Thomas Gater and Jack Till in which Thomas emerged victorious 6-4.

The presentations were made by Vic Sherwood and the recipients were:-

Overall Champion -     Reece Tugwell (Field Place)

Top Junior -     Thomas Gater (Egerton Park)

Singles Competition - Top Girl        Joanna Watt (Egerton Park)

                                Top Boy        Ajay Morphett (Egerton Park)

Skills Competition - Top Girl         Emma Cooper (Egerton Park)

                              Top Boy        Callum Phillimore (Egerton Park)

All competitors received Certificates of Attendance from the President's wife, Ann.

The top two in the Seniors, Reece Tugwell and Emma Cooper and the top two Juniors Thomas Gater and Jack Till automatically qualified for the EBYDS Regional Finals at Horsham I.B.C. on Sunday 1st April.

All winners received their awards from the Sussex County Bowls Association President Vic Sherwood with the County Coach, Peter Blanks and the Ladies County Coach Wendy Frizelle in attendance.

The cost of trophies and administration was sponsored SCIBA.