Come and try day all about inclusivity
Inclusivity will be the key message at a come and try bowls day next month for people living with a disability.
The event will be held from 11am to 1pm on Sunday, March 14, at the Marion Bowling Club, with anyone with a disability looking to try a new sport encouraged to attend.
All equipment will be provided for those in attendance, while experienced coaches Tony Devlin and Ken Holtham will be on hand to help guide newcomers to the sport.
The event is fully supported by disability assistance organisation Bedford Industries, with Anthony Exton, who works for Bedford and is involved with the Christies Beach Bowling Club, having helped get the event up and running.
Bowls Australia Participation and Programs Manager James Wilson, who is based in South Australia, said, the come and try day is all about highlighting the inclusive nature of lawn bowls.
“A lot of people with disabilities already play 10-pin bowling, plus a lot more are always on the hunt for new sports to try, so we want to show them how great lawn bowls is to play,” he said.
“A come and try day is a great way for people to have a go in an inclusive and safe environment and we will have some great coaches there to pass on some tips.
“It is amazing once people come and try lawn bowls how quickly they get hooked and really enjoy the sport.”
James said the idea of holding the event came about following the success of program at a southern suburbs club, which saw a number of people with disabilities and that are involved with Bedford, take part.
“Anthony Exton and the team at Christies Beach have done a great job with their Jack Attack program and including people with disabilities,” he said.
“We want to capitalise on their great work and emphasise that lawn bowls is a game for everyone.
“We are hopeful that if the come and try day is successful, then we will be looking at running a four-to-six-week Jack Attack style competition later in the year for people with disabilities.
“Attracting new people to the sport is the first step on the pathway that could even lead to state or national representation down the track.”
According to James, work is also being done to look at the possibility of lawn bowls being included in the Special Olympics in the future.
