What started as a group of LGBT friends looking to have fun and socialize outside the bar scene 21 years ago is now a weekly bowling league that will soon be leaving New Westminster for their new home in the Tri-Cities.
They're hoping the move from the Lucky Strike Lanes in New West to the Zone Bowling in Coquitlam next month will draw more members to the group, particularly since there are currently none from the Tri-Cities.
"We're starting the season with eight teams and we can go up to 16," said Terry Tomcko, the group's social co-ordinator. It's down slightly from the 12 teams of four, with a list of spares, in 1996 but with more 10-pin lanes available at the Zone, Tomcko said they hope to welcome new members of all ages and abilities.
"We have young kids in their 20s right up to 80-year-olds," he added. "We're a fun league, we're not overly competitive."
The group does keep a running tally of scores, however, and awards prizes at the end of each season, which runs from Sept. 8 to early April, for the best scores.
Tomcko figures the highest score the Royal Family has recorded was about 260, the closest anyone has been to bowling's perfect 300.
"That's nothing to laugh about, that's difficult to do," Tomcko said. "Most bowlers are bowling under a 200; I try to get at least one 200 game each year."
Current members hail from New Westminster, Burnaby, Vancouver, North Vancouver, Surrey and Abbotsford, and many have been part of the group for close to 20 years.
"There are some very good friendships," Tomcko said. "It's a real tight group and anybody that's new, we welcome them."
Apart from weekly bowling (Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.) the group holds a registration barbecue for returning members, a Christmas potluck and an end-of-season awards event.
• To join the Royal Family league, contact royalfamilybowlingleague@yahoo.ca.
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