MEMBERS of the Inverleigh Bowls Club are holding regular come and try sessions alongside their pennant training throughout September in order to gain new members.<\/p>\n
With the first event held last weekend, two more sessions are set to take place on Sunday 17 and Sunday 24 September.<\/p>\n
Treasurer, Michele Shields said their aim is to introduce new players to both the club and sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have some little games and drills with people to learn how to bowl. There\u2019ll be lots of coaches to talk them through and lots of friendly banter from the members,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to introduce people to bowling, and hopefully find some new players in town. We\u2019re a small-town club in a small-town community. We need to find new members to keep the club viable.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll find most small country towns are having issues with recruitment just because of the demographic. If we had a retirement village here like in Geelong, we\u2019d have a bit more of a market.\u201d<\/p>\n
With 30 playing members, the group\u2019s age demographic ranges from between 13 to 89 years old, though Ms Shields said the majority of their players are aged around 70 and older.<\/p>\n
Having joined the club about five years ago, Ms Shields said the issue of recruiting younger players has been a persistent one.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s difficult in this community because while we\u2019ve got growth, it\u2019s the younger demographic that aren\u2019t committing to sport on a Sunday,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a problem that\u2019s been around for some time. We just want people to see the game, hear about the game, and become part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The club\u2019s competitive season with the Geelong Bowls Region begins in late October.<\/p>\n
All are welcome to attend the come and try sessions which start at 10am at 20 Railway Street, Inverleigh, with no reservations required.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MEMBERS of the Inverleigh Bowls Club are holding regular come and try sessions alongside their pennant training throughout September in order to gain new members. With the first event held last weekend, two more sessions are set to take place on Sunday 17 and Sunday 24 September. Treasurer, Michele Shields said their aim is to […]<\/p>\n