Five years ago, Matthew Spargo was a Year 7 student flicking through a school sports brochure when one sport caught his eye.

This month the 17-year-old Tauranga Boys’ College student was back at the Zespri AIMS Games – but this time on the other side of the mat, umpiring indoor bowls.

It is quite a turnaround for someone who chose the sport almost on a whim.

“I just looked on the little brochure that we got at the start of the year with all the sports on it, and I saw that and I thought I’d give it a go,” Spargo said.

He was introduced to indoor bowls by Tauranga coaches Marg and Dave Crockett, who’ve coached young players in the community for about 15 years.

Spargo quickly discovered he had a talent for the game.

His first AIMS Games opportunity came in Year 8, when he opted for indoor bowls rather than hockey – and came away with three gold medals, including singles and pairs, and a medal for Tauranga Intermediate’s overall school result. “That’s probably what really hooked me into it,” he said.

Since then, Spargo has won the New Zealand Secondary Schools singles title in successive years and two consecutive New Zealand Year 1-5 pairs titles with his father, William.

“One of the biggest moments playing this sport was winning the two national titles with my father,” Spargo said.

He has represented Tauranga, travelled throughout New Zealand for tournaments and played alongside some of the country’s leading indoor bowlers.

Another highlight was being asked to play alongside highly decorated New Zealand player Grant L’Ami at this year’s national championships in Palmerston North. “I was extremely honoured,” Spargo said.

Matthew Spargo, pictured outdoors, with his indoor bowl set and his NZ Secondary Schools Singles trophy. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

But the medals were only part of what kept him coming back.

“I’ve managed to make so many new friends in bowls,” he said. “It’s a very social sport.”

In fact, Spargo met his girlfriend through indoor bowls, and the pair also play together.

Crockett said Spargo had been a pleasure to coach virtually from day one, particularly once his talent began to emerge. “He’s just a thoroughly lovely young gentleman,” Crockett said.

Focus is a key part of the Crocketts’ coaching philosophy, with players taught to concentrate on their own game and enjoy the sport.

That focus had helped Spargo become a qualified national umpire, as well as one of the country’s leading young players, he said. Returning to the AIMS Games this year in the umpire role was special.

“It’s very cool,” he said. “I’m glad I’ve moved on to playing secondary schools, but I do miss it.”

With only one more year of college ahead, Spargo is looking towards the future.

He hopes to work towards representing New Zealand at the highest level of indoor bowls, the Mat Blacks, who compete against Australia in transtasman competitions.

Crockett believes Spargo has the potential to reach the top in New Zealand and possibly compete internationally.

For now, he is balancing Year 12 studies with a sport that has taken him around the country – and he hopes other young people will give it a go.

“Don’t really just assume that it’s for old people,” he said. “It’s fun. It’s challenging. It’s all mentally challenging, and it can take you all around New Zealand.”