The Picayune Youth Bowling League provides children with the opportunity to improve their bowling skills.

League President Eddie Stevens said the league is open to all children in the community who are between the age of 4 and 17. The league is broken into three categories based on age.

From age 4 to 7, children are placed in the bungees category. Stevens said during this stage children are taught the basics of bowling and develop the necessary skills to become a better bowler. Children aged between 8 and 12 are placed in the minors category, where coaches help the children improve their bowling skills and get rid of bad habits. The last category is the majors, for children 12-years- and older. In this category, participants put everything they learned together.

Two weeks ago, the city championship was held at Pine Tree Lanes in Picayune and five competitors finished in the top two of their respective age group, Stevens said.

Last week, the children participated in the Mississippi Youth State Championship Tournament in Diamondhead. Ashton Steelman, Jason Lumpkin, Kylie Steelman and Layla Ledet finished in first place within their respective division.

“I’m proud of them for being able to compete and do well in the tournament,” Stevens said.

This year, the Bowling League consists of about 40 children but Stevens, who is currently in his second year with the Bowling League, said he plans to grow the league in the years to come.

Anyone interested in joining can attend the registration event in August. The league will start in early September. Practice takes place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Pine Tree Lanes in Picayune.

“I love being able to come out here and helping the children learn a new sport,” Stevens said. “Seeing the excitement of the children when they bowl their first strike is very rewarding.”