THE Herefordshire Short Mat Bowling Association (HSMBA) are looking to raise awareness of the sport and increase participation across the county.

There are currently 16 clubs affiliated to the county association with around 250 registered members who regularly play in county and national leagues and competitions as well asa number of other people who play socially.

The association want to expand participation by attracting new players to existing clubs as well as establishing new clubs, particularly in areas of the county where the sport is not yet well established.

Short mat bowls derives from the outdoor game but is played indoors in venues such as village halls and other community spaces on portable mats which are rolled up and stored when not in use.

Ian Roe, Herefordshire Short Mat Bowling Association press officer, said the sport can be played on equal terms by all ages, sexes and abilities and is, as such, an ideal family activity.

"For youngsters, short mat bowls provides an opportunity to develop sporting and social skills and to progress within a competitive sporting environment, while more mature participants may see it as an ideal way to maintain a degree of fitness and activity within a social group setting," he said.

"Although all forms of bowls have traditionally attracted older participants, on the most competitive level it is the younger players who are driving the short mat game forwards.

"The sport at the highest level requires good hand-eye co-ordination as well as a keen tactical awareness and at county level and beyond it is a highly competitive sport.

"Indeed, at the higher levels, success depends on the ability to play several matches over a day or a weekend and a degree of mental, as much as physical, stamina is required to achieve this whilst maintaining high playing standards.

The association is keen to extend links with schools and youth organisations to introduce the sport to youngsters and also believes that players considering retirement from physical sports such as football and rugby may see it as an opportunity to continue their competitive sporting participation."

Affiliated clubs are currently concentrated in an an area bounded by Hereford, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye in the south of the county, but the HSMBA have admonitions to develop the sport more widely across the county and is looking at venues or groups where new clubs can be set up.

For more information, visit hsmba.org.