Secondary School Bowls Carnival Rolls Up in the Mid North

by Marketing on October 20, 2023

Bowls Clubs in the North Western Association in South Australia were looking at ways of introducing more young people to the game of Bowls. Being somewhat of a breeding ground for U18 champions in recent times, the association in the Mid & Upper North area approached Bowls Australia’s Club Support Manager, Brett Herbert to assist with connecting clubs to young people.

With unwavering support from Amanda Bowman the Southern Flinders Region, Sapsasa Convenor, Brett approached the schools and clubs in the area and established the MNSEC interschool bowls competition.

Brett assisted the clubs to run school clinics over 3-4 weeks in each of the towns with a High School. Many thanks to the club volunteers from across the region, including Booleroo Centre, Jamestown, Quorn and Gladstone.

The clinics were an instant hit with teachers and volunteers alike, and the 200+ students that attended looked forward to the sessions each week. One student named Billy never went to school on his birthday, until this year, because “he didn’t want to miss the bowls!”

Teachers, including Alby, Ella, Sarah, Kate (x2) and Sam built bowls into the school curriculum in P.E. and joined in to learn about Bowls and practise their skills.

Each school then sent the most talented bowlers to the interschool carnival, held on 27 September at the Booleroo Centre Bowls Club. Teams of 3 were graded by ability and split into two pools of 8 teams. Playing a round robin format over a full day to find the winning team and ultimately a Champion School.

Bowls Australia and School Sports Australia hope to hold more of these events, and ultimately select an SA state school team to attend Tweed Heads in the national school’s competition in Sept 2024. Please register interest to Bowls Australia’s Club Support Manager, Brett Herbert.

If any clubs in country or metro regions would like to establish a regional school competition in their local area, also contact Brett via phone 0437 527 161 or email bherbert@bowls.com.au