Bendigo’s Jess McKeown is no ordinary nine-year-old. The primary school student is taking the sport of rope quoits by storm in Bendigo.

Jess is captain of the Court House Hotel team which is in second place on the ladder in its first year in the competition.

Jess’ father Nick has been a regular in the Bendigo quoits competition and he roped his daughter into the Court House squad this year when it was short of players.

“Jess filled in one night and played really well and she’s been a solid member of the team ever since,’’ Nick McKeown said.

Jess has increased her handicap from 2.5 to 3 in her first season and has thrown four limits – much to the delight of her older team-mates.

“Traditionally, quoits teams are made up of middle-aged men and older,’’ Nick said.

“We’ve bought a new dynamic to the competition having Jess involved and the rest of the squad is relatively young as well. The other teams have reacted to Jess really well and they encourage her.”

Team-mate Joel Logan, who is also in his first season, said the sport has potential to grow in Bendigo.

“Before joining this team I’d never really given quoits much thought,’’ Logan said.  “It’s a very competitive league, but we have a lot of fun. We’ve shown people of any age can play.”

Win, lose or draw, the highlight for Jess each Tuesday night is at the bar.

“I get a raspberry (soft drink) every week,’’ Jess said.