Sport
20 October, 2025
Local girl strikes it big
AFTER growing up in bowling alleys and finding a passion for the sport at a young age, local girl Emily Starkey has hit it big after she was selected in the Australian tenpin bowling team.
Starkey said it was “the most surreal moment” of her life when she found out she was selected to represent her country.
“I found myself looking at my acceptance letter in shock,” the 17-year-old said.
“The one thought I had over and over was ‘I did it’. The feeling of finally knowing that all of my hard work had finally paid off was the best part.”
Starkey literally grew up in bowling alleys, with her parents owning the Innisfail Sugar Bowl Lanes before it was closed down. They lived in a small apartment beside the alley and Starkey said she learnt to bowl around the same time she learnt to walk.
“I knew from a very early age that it was what I was meant to do,” she said.
“There might have been a bump in the road on my way to success, but I started bowling again in 2019 when my grandparents bought the Atherton bowling alley and I haven’t looked back since.”
The young local is very much looking forward to stepping onto the national stage to play the sport she has dedicated her life to.
“For me bowling isn’t just a sport, it is my life. Without fail, I am in a bowling centre weekly, whether it be my home centre at NQ Tenpin Atherton or at a different one around Australia when I’m competing at national events,” Starkey said.
“I love bowling because it connects people of all ages, and it has given me the opportunity to make friends from all around Australia.
“Knowing that I get to go away and compete on the national stage with some of them is amazing and I honestly can’t wait.”
She also wanted to thank her sponsors, NQ Tenpin Atherton, JBT Aluminium, and Raebon Trophies, and her parents, who have supported her in her bowling journey.
“Without their endless support I would not have been able to have as many opportunities I have had this year. Their support means everything to me,” she said.
“And all of the businesses and people who have donated to my raffle and goose club for my fundraiser and every person who has bought tickets, words cannot describe how grateful I am.
“And last but certainly not least, I would like to thank my parents. My mum for being my own personal manager and my dad for being my coach ever since I was little. Without them I would not be the person or bowler I am today.”
Starkey will travel to Malaysia in December to represent Team Australia. This weekend there will be a 70s-themed costume party to fundraise for her trip.
The event, held at NQ Tenpin Atherton on Saturday from 6pm-10pm, will feature lots of bowling fun, groovy costumes, raffles, and other prizes. For more information, visit https://nqtenpin.com.au/fundraiser
A local business is also holding a raffle for Starkey, with prizes worth nearly $5,000 in total. To purchase a ticket or to see the prizes, visit https://rafflelink.com.au/atbaemily. The raffle will be drawn on 30 November.
