Ten-year-old Josh Wallace loves tenpin bowling.

Not just any ordinary love, but total devotion.

At the age of three the Cowes Primary School grade three student started at Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling, as part of physiotherapy for autism.

But, according to mum Courtney Wallace, it quickly became more.

“For many years we’d go most days of the week,” says Courtney, who is a program coordinator at the Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre.

“Other sports you have to understand the rules, but bowling is inclusive. It’s also not just the playing, but Josh has had to learn to ask for shoes, how to approach the counter, exchange money. He’s picked up a hundred different life skills.”

Such was Josh’s love of the sport Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling’s Jeremy Westaway and Craig Holmes last year even created “Josh’s Spot”, a wall plaque above a couch the young enthusiast enjoys sitting on.

“Jeremy and Craig are so patient with him and have gone on a journey with him to teach him the right way to do things.”

However it all came to a frustrating halt this year when COVID-19 forced the closure of the bowling centre, on Settlement Road.

“Josh was devastated. The closure was our biggest hurdle in lockdown. He loved it so much and did it most days and it was part of his routine.”

So Courtney and husband Adam – who runs Reliable Garden and Property Maintenance – sold their caravan and cleared out their home garage to set up a substitute bowling alley, albeit not as impressive, also hooking up bowling via Wii video game.

“It wasn’t the same, not the real deal, a bit amateur, but he still played,” she says, adding that during lockdown Josh also developed an interest in skating at the Cowes skatepark.

With the end of lockdown restrictions last month, Josh was ecstatic to return to bowling, currently limited to an hour’s play at a time.

“He has actually got really good at it. Who knows, it could be a career. I’m planning on him buying me a yacht one day.”

Inclusive

Courtney acknowledges the work of Craig and Jeremy.

“They’re incredibly inclusive, even winning awards and started a Bowlopolis.”

The Bowlopolis event is a seven-week program and competition where many of the local special needs schools compete and vie for a perpetual trophy that is presented at a gala event.

The centre often has more than 90 bowlers participate and awards in the past have been presented by the likes of the Special Olympics president, Bass Coast councillors and other prominent community figures.

The centre has been built with a specific automatic opening door and width, ramp access, optimal bench heights and a disabled car park, all designed for wheelchair access.

In addition to Cowes Primary, Josh also attends the Wonthaggi Specialist School.

Courtney says her son is severely autistic, in addition to also having ADHD and sensory processing disorder, and was non-verbal until two years ago.

Unlike many on the spectrum, however, he is highly social, “street smart and charming”.

“He’s doing so well. Something has clicked this year. It’s a combination of great therapists, medication, really good support at both schools and a great community.

“People in the community ask questions and I’m happy to answer them. Everyone here knows Josh and helps him along with what’s appropriate, or they simply don’t worry and trust it’s under control.”