The former Allansford footballer joined Warrnambool Bowls Club last year and is now established in one of its Western District Bowls Club top-grade teams.

Holloway, 33, said the number of younger bowlers in the south-west continued to rise.

“It’s not like what a lot of people think, an oldies’ sport, there’s a lot of young fellas playing it now and it’s just exactly the same as a footy club once you get to know everyone,” he said during Saturday’s match against Koroit Blue.

“I was involved with the footy club for a lot of years and then we started coming down here for a bit of a social roll with a few of the boys.

“The club is a really good place to be, it’s really family-friendly and there’s cheap beers.”

The Lake Gillear dairy farmer, who milks 500 cows on Saturdays before games, is playing for Warrnambool Blue as a lead.

Holloway, a father to three daughters “who keep me on my toes”, said he wanted to climb into the all-conquering Warrnambool Gold team at some stage and was eager to be a long-term bowler.

“I don’t plan on giving it up anytime soon, it’s good fun and a bit of a challenge every week,” he said.

“I started in division two at the start of last year and then got a few games in divvy one with the Blues which was good.

“I think everyone’s aim should be to play as high as they can. It’s only my second year so I am pumped to be getting a go in the Blues.

“Timmy Steel is only in his second year and he’s playing up in the Golds and he’s only in his 30s too.”

Holloway admitted lawn bowls was “a lot harder than it looks from behind the windows inside”.

“You’ll never master it I don’t think,” he said of the complex nature of the sport.

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