Not only was the 14-year-old gathering with family and unwrapping presents on December 25 but this came on the back of selection in her maiden state squad.

Wilton was named in the NSW under-18s squad following the annual City versus Country series.

It was the third occasion Wilton had attended the tournament and even though Country were upstaged this time around the talented teenager was picked for higher ­honours.

She was one of 30 players included in the squad, made up of 14 girls and 16 boys from throughout the state.

A training camp will be held at Taren Point in January when the group will be halved for the 2013 under-18 national ­championships.

Wilton hoped to make the team and go on to represent NSW despite being four years underage.

“I have a lot of training to do, but hopefully I get picked in the side,” she said.

“The championships will be held all over Australia.”

And Wilton has every reason to be ­confident after finishing runner-up in the NSW women’s under-18s singles competition earlier this year.

The state final went down to the last bowl of the last end and Wilton had led 31-30 while holding two shots.

Unfortunately for Wilton, who picked up the sport at an early age through her older brothers, it wasn’t to be, but at Hunter district level she scored a fours title.

Before the state training camp Wilton, who hails from Karuah but bowls out of the Rutherford venue, will compete at the 2013 Junior South Pacific Games at Warilla.

Also in the new year she will begin coaching with world champion and 2012 Maitland Sportsperson of the Year nominee Natasha Van Eldik.

“I think she will help me improve a lot,” Wilton said.

Wilton’s long-term goal is to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games. 

n See tomorrow’s Maitland Mercury for an interview with world champion lawn bowler and 2012 Maitland Sportsperson of the Year nominee Natasha Van Eldik.