You're never too young to give bowls a shot!
Why Bowls?
Lawn bowls has a number of unique inherent features that make it a welcoming sport for everyone;
- Challenging - bowls requires hand-eye skill, concentration and tactical nous to excel.
- Inclusive - gender and physical size or athletic capability does not matter. The sport is also ideal for children with disabilties.
- Social interaction - bowls is a wonderful team sport and fantastic social experience.
- Non-threatening - bowls is a non contact sport that encourages respectful competitiveness
- Community - bowls fosters community spirit and values. Clubs are caring environments where real friendships are the most valuable commodity.
"The enthusiasm of our students was very clear...it has been a very good experience for them."-S H Newton, Caulfield Grammar Principal.
Did you know?
Under 18's are the fastest growing demographic in bowls, memberships increasing 10% per year. Kelsey Cottrell was selected to play for Australia at just 16 years of age. Bowls is the ninth most popular sport in Australia. Bowls is an international sport, World Bowls boasting 46 countries. Exposure via the feature movie Crackerjack, 2006 Commonwealth Games and regular coverage on the ABC has inspired people of all ages to take up the sport in their thousands. The average age of the Australian Bowls team is lower than the average age of the Australian Cricket team.
Many clubs host school groups and the advent of national programs, such as 'Get on the Green' has allowed clubs to accommodate new bowlers of any skill level. The Bowls Victoria strategic plan has an emphasis on wider participation and increasing junior opportunities is regarded as integral to the game's future.
Where Can I Play?
Bowls Victoria have developed a junior pathway to give all young people the opportunity to play bowls, no matter what their ability and in formats tailored to suit their needs. These opportunities include:
- SSV competitions
- Schools Pennant Competition
- Under 18 Development Squads
- Under 18 Victorian Development Squad
- RSA/government/access all ability programs
- Club junior competitions
- 'Laying the Mat' activities
- Schools - Club visits
- Hardcourt bowls
- Kids Fun Days and club open days
Under 18 Development Squads
Victoria is leading the country with the establishment of Under 18 Development Squads across the state.
These squads provide specialist coaching and for the participants to enjoy interacting with other keen, young bowlers. It is envisaged that these squads will be a vital link in a pathway, with interclub junior competitions set to become another important part of youth participation.
To find out more about various playing options or to contact your nearest suitable bowls club or development squad in your area, please don't hesitate to contact Bowls Victoria on (03) 9819 0757 or email development@bowlsvic.org.au .
Junior Pathway
MyBowls
MyBowls is another exciting and interactive feature of our new Sporting Pulse IT systems. It is a fun social network devoted to Bowls players, supporters and volunteers. MyBowls enables you to design your own personal website. You can meet and chat with supporters, upload videos, photos, news feeds, get your results sent to your inbox and participate in games, competitions, forums and polls.
Good Luck in setting up your own personal website and make sure you spread the word to friends, family and team mates about the fantastic facilities available on MyBowls.
Junior Policy
Junior sport refers to the coordination and management of sport and pre-sport activities for young people aged 5 to 18 years. It is extremely important when introducing juniors to bowls that time is taken to nurture, educate and have fun with participants. This initial introduction will play a pivotal part in a junior’s future involvement in bowls.
This website provides information about everything from grassroots participation to Under 18 Junior Development Squads, child harassment and protection laws (Membership Protection Policy), Bowls Australia Junior Policy, Laying the Mat (Club and School initiative) and other helpful hints and resources related to junior participation in bowls.
The National Junior Policy has been developed to assist clubs and schools to create a safe, fun and inclusive junior sports environment. It is therefore very important that all clubs, coaches, schools and relevant bodies take the time necessary to work through the policy and understand how they can use the information produced to enhance their association with juniors and future junior programs. Link to the Bowls Australia National Junior Policy.
