Bowlers launch membership drive with new season ahead

10:58am Thursday 27th March 2008

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HEREFORDSHIRE County Bowling Association are looking to raise the profile of the game locally and to emphasise that the sport is not just the preserve of the retired.

Dwindling numbers - the county's 17 clubs have 458 affiliated members - now make Herefordshire one of Bowls England's smallest associations and the committee are keen to give numbers a boost.

"We are aiming to attract new members and to show that the concept of bowls being an old man's game' is totally wrong," said association treasurer Jack Gray.

"Bowls is open to all ages and would be ideal for sports players such as rugby players and footballers to take up when they reach the end of their careers in those sports. Their wives, sons and daughters can join in with them."

"Some clubs have 10-year-olds playing regularly."

Any younger players coming into clubs would certainly find they are not on their own.

"Our county has a thriving set of younger players under 25 years old and they are well looked after by Don Pugh, Bill Wheatley and Teresa Williams who are qualified coaches," said Gray.

Two of the younger element had the opportunity of showing their skills on a wider stage last year.

Shaun Jones qualified from Herefordshire to play in the junior singles event at the English Bowling Association's national championships in Worthing and made the last four of the competition, the best performance by a Herefordshire bowler for many years.

An even younger player, 14-year-old Stephen Smith, was a member of the Ledbury four which went to the national championships.

Smith became the youngest bowler to represent the county at the nationals and although his team went out in the first round of the competition, the experience can only stand him in good stead should he get a chance to play on the bigger stage in future years.

While it is only natural that younger players will need good quality coaching if they are to improve in the sport, anyone joining a bowls club will be given help and advice to get to grips with the game.

"Most clubs have a coach and he or she will be pleased to instruct any new members in the skills of the game, together with the rules," said Gray. "If a club does not have a qualified coach, there will always be an experienced bowler on hand who will give the same assistance."

Gray, a two-time former Herefordshire BA president who is now a life member of the county, has made more than 500 appearances for the representative side.

But he is quick to point out that the competitive element is not the be-all-and-end-all of being a member of a club.

"It is an ideal sport to make new friends and there is no requirement to be competitive," he said. "Many bowlers are happy with social bowling'.

"Most clubs play matches at weekends but the greens are available to play on at almost any time, apart from match days or when the green keeper is working."

And now, with the outdoor season about to get underway, is an ideal time to find yourself a club to have a go at the sport.

"Clubs normally have an open day at the beginning of the season and new bowlers are made very welcome," said Gray.

HEREFORDSHIRE'S BOWLS CLUBS.

Hereford, Castle Green, St Martin's, Kings Acre (formerly Bulmers), Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury, Eastnor, Bromyard, Leominster, Kingsland, Weobley, Eardisland, Kington, Brimfield, Wellington, Bodenham, St Michael's (Shrewsbury) are also affiliated but do not participate in any of the competitions.