12 September, 2025 Issue 1267
Jade strikes hurdle Meet Tauranga 12-year-old Jade Lang. In four years – strike after strike – she has her flown to the top of New Zealand’s ten pin bowling scene. Starting bowling at Tenpin Tauranga at age nine, Jade last year claimed the 2024 National Open Graded Champion title –
among other national accolades above her age-group – outperforming competitors aged from nine to 60-plus. Jade’s future looks equally bright and busy. She has a roster of future tournaments across the country and overseas. She’ll compete in the National Youth
Championships, Tauranga Youth Cup, National Open Championships, and the Bay of Plenty Open this year. Next year, she heads across the ditch to the Tenpin Bowling Australia Junior Nationals, Masters, and Presidents Shield. But the costs of competing quickly pile
up – and with limited grants available, Jade and her family are facing a financial hurdle. As a result, her mother Rachelle Lang is calling on the community to “support a young girl’s dream” through a dedicated Givealittle page. Read more about Jade’s plight on page 6. Photo / Brydie Thompson