Small program with big plans
Youth bowling league receives national recognition

The following article was published in the Spring 2007 issue of "U.S. Youth Bowler," a nationally distributed magazine that is published by the United States Bowling Congress. The magazine is sent to all sanctioned youth league bowlers, U.S.B.C. certified youth coaches, and youth league administrators.

The small rural community of Blairsville, Ga. boasts a movie theater, a 16-lane bowling center and one of the highest coach/youth bowler ratios in the nation. One Coach is on board for every four participants in the Blairsville Youth Bowlers, a group of 29 kids assisted by two USBC Bronze coaches, three USBC Level 1 coaches and two coach assistants at Galaxy Bowling Center.

"Start training next year's coach next Saturday," encourages Lewis Tatum, one of the program's Bronze coaches. "We have one coach who was a youth league bowler just two years ago. Education in the key, for both the bowler and the coach. Make sure to stay on top of your own education so you don't fall behind."