Earlier this month, Ysie White from Tenby Bowling Club travelled to Broadbeach Bowling Club which is located on the Gold Coast of Australia. Ysie, and her mixed partner, Ross Owen, from Mid Glamorgan, were representing Wales in the World Junior Championships.

Said Ysie: "It was a wonderful opportunity second to none.

"It took us 28 hours to travel to Broadbeach.

"Temperatures reached a high of 35 degrees, something neither of us had ever experienced on the bowling green. The greens were running like lightning. A dream to bowl on.

"Between March 9 and 15 we both played 14 games of bowls. There was a men's singles, ladies singles and mixed pairs, split into two groups. The competition began as a round robin, then the top three of each group qualified for the knock out semis and final.

"We were unfortunate not to qualify for the pairs knockout. Had we won one more game in the round robin we would have had a good chance of going through.

"The competition will be held at this tremendous location next year.

"The Gold Coast will be hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games competitions, where bowls will be one of the sports and preparation for this future event began during the junior championships.

"The people we met at the tournament were from all over the world. For example, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Namibia, Malaysia and several other destinations. True friendships were formed.

"We had a phenomenal welcome by the staff and bowlers to the club. They truly made us to feel like we were home.

"It was definitely an experience that will stay with us forever, the standard of bowls was truly world class. The greens phenomenal and the people, just brilliant."