Baillee Randell, Brad Fuller and Bailey Berger are the first three beneficiaries of the club’s scholarship program and will see action for the first time in round one of Bendigo Bowls Division.

The initiative is funded by the club’s chairman of selectors Maurie Houghton and covers the fledgling bowlers’ membership, uniform and bowls fees.

A separate VicHealth grant has helped provide the trio each with a set of Henselite XG bowls.

Bendigo East’s Steve Fuller praised Houghton for funding the scholarships.

“The three boys hadn’t really played bowls until three or four months ago, but have been training and are being coached and are now ready to play their first game of pennant,” he said.

“It’s something we are hoping to continue into the future.

“We were talking about it this week, looking to get some other sponsors or groups on board with an interest in developing youth into sport, or whether there are grants available, or an opportunity for other members to contribute.”

The trio is benefiting from ongoing training from the club’s new coach and reigning Australian singles champion of champions Lee Schraner, Kaz Rhodes and Rob Clough.

Bailey Randell, who is the son of Chris, will debut in division three at Golden Square, while Brad Fuller (son of Tait) and Bailey Berger (son of Matt), will play division six at Bendigo East against Woodbury.