A West Lothian teen has been given the chance to represent Scotland at the European Youth Championships this year, after developing an interest in a rather niche sport.
Melissa Ainslie, from Livingston, has been tenpin bowling since she was six months old and has now hit the best strike of her life after being given the once in a lifetime opportunity to represent her country, being one of the best in Scotland for her age.
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Melissa, aged 14, has been coached by her whole family throughout her life, with her parents Kelly and Allyn, now desperate to raise the funds to send her to France in April.
Due to tenpin bowling being classed as a 'leisure sport' in Scotland, Melissa's parents, who struggle to work due to various health reasons, have started a fundraising campaign to make their daughter's dream come true.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Melissa's mum, Kelly, said: "Melissa has been bowling all her life. I was even pregnant and bowling with her. Myself, my husband and his mum and dad all done bowling and I would say she even started at just six months old. Myself and my husband used to bowl in a league and take her with us.
"We would have her on the floor and she would roll the ball back and forth, so from the age of five she actually took it up as a sport. After a short time away from it she asked to go down again one weekend and fell hook line and sinker right back into it."
Growing up around a family of fellow bowlers, Melissa was never far from expert advice and support. She now takes part in competitions most months, varying from her hometown Livingston, to Dunfermline and Ayr.
Kelly said that most competitions Melissa entered, resulted in her coming away with a prize.
"She would go to all these competitions and usually win trophies and awards. It's all about how consistent you are and how high your rank is, it's actually quite confusing. She practices twice a week here in the local league and even when she's not feeling well, she will never miss a competition and continue to be dedicated to the sport.
"We never even thought about going to France, we knew she was getting into what is called a triple crown, another competition in Barnsley, but over the weekend, I got an email from the SBA (Scottish Bowling Association) asking if Melissa would like to go to France to represent Scotland at the European Youth Championships."
After trying to keep calm and make sure the email was not a fake or a prank, Kelly had to reveal the big news to Melissa from behind her bedroom door, as she had recently tested positive for Covid.
"I said, how would you feel about going to France? She said you're kidding, I don't believe you.
"I think it's only just starting to sink in now that this is a huge opportunity. Her biggest concern is how we're going to find the money to send her over there, but I just said, I'll find it Mel."
Kelly has set up a Gofundme page to fundraise money to help send Melissa to France in April, as well as setting up a sponsored bowl at their local club, Livingston Youth Bowling Club. The money that Kelly and Allyn are trying to raise at the moment stands at £1500, with only a tiny amount being contributed so far.
There are around 14 people in Scotland who have also been gifted the special opportunity to compete in France, with the starting date being April 9 and the team due to come back nine days later.
Speaking on her excitement about potentially representing Scotland in France, Melissa said that she was told not to tell anyone, but struggled to contain her emotions after the news broke.
She said: "I was sitting on the phone to my friend who I already knew was going to France. We're really friendly and my mum told me not to tell anyone so I was just sitting with a big smile on my face, I was just so happy.
"I've been bowling my whole life and this would mean a lot to me, maybe more than most people, as four or five summers ago I was sitting in my grandparents house and they asked what I wanted to do. I said bowling, just as a bit of fun, and they ended up bringing me back in the team.
"My gran passed away in 2020 and it would have meant a lot to her. Hopefully I can represent her as well as my country."
In a sport that most would see as nothing other than a fun activity, Melissa has managed to develop her skills into being one of the best in the country for her age and has put herself in a wonderful position to represent both her nation and family members in what would certainly be the most action-packed and thrilling nine days of her life so far.
Kelly's gofundme page dedicated to raising money to send Melissa on the once in a lifetime trip can be found here.
