Steve Fowler on the greens for the Rosamond Rockets. 56012 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Liam Twomey
Who is the best bowler in your family?
Now there’s a chance to find out at the Rosamond Lawn Bowls Club’s Try Bowls Day.
Families and curious bowlers are encouraged to get down to the club and try their luck on the greens and maybe walk away with bragging rights at the dinner table.
Rosamond club secretary Jackie Williams said anyone who has considered giving lawn bowls a try should get down to the club.
“For us it’s really a chance hopefully to get some families through. Bowls is one of the few sports that everyone in the family can play. It turns into a bit of a family day or outing,” Williams said. Rosamond is already home to two father/son combinations and they are hoping more will jump on board for the coming season.
“The families that do play down here enjoy it and I think it’s a great opportunity for them to bond. It’s great for dads because they get to take the kids out and look after them and still enjoy themselves and play sport,” Williams said.
“We are a very family-friendly club. The daughters of one of the members runs a kids’ club on a Friday night where members can bring down kids and grandkids to be looked after. We are really trying to promote that family atmosphere.”
Bowls clubs are no longer just places for the older players either. All clubs are now looking to attract more junior members to the greens.
“The kids love it and they are great to have at the club. Traditionally children were frowned upon at lawn bowls,” Williams said.
“The ladies wouldn’t even make them rolls in the afternoon because they didn’t want the children being around the club. The attitude has really shifted now.” Bowls Victoria has also placed a greater focus on attracting junior talent, with a number of junior development squads set up for talented youngsters.
“The opportunity is really there now for kids to play with people their own age on a regular basis,” Williams said.
“They get coaching, training and development which is a bit different to where things used to be. That’s the angle of the sport that I think people are trying to promote now. Trying to make people realise it’s not just a game for the older people. The Try Bowls Day commences at 11am and runs until 3pm, at Rosamond Bowling Club, located on Rosamond Rd.
Players are only required to bring a pair of flat-soled shoes or they can play barefoot.
