Surf Coast students roll up for lawn bowls lessons

THE Torquay Bowls Club has initiated a partnership with Surf Coast Secondary College to foster the growth of lawn bowls by introducing the game to younger generations.

Starting late last month, the Year 9 students will develop their skills and game knowledge over the next few weeks through competition play and support from club coaches and members.

Torquay Bowls Club general manager Peter Temple said bowls was a hugely accessible sport and provided opportunities for people of all abilities to participate.

“It’s an excellent option for kids and parents who are seeking a non-contact sport and provides the rare opportunity for children to gain some confidence and social development in a healthy, intergenerational setting.

“The Torquay community continues to evolve and this program is designed to meet the diverse needs of local residents by connecting children, their parents and grandparents both to each other and the wider community.

“While the perception that bowls is an old person’s sport, the average age of our national representative team is 30, with 12 of the 20-player squad still in their 20s.

“Our younger generation are future guardians of the sport and the schools program is vital in providing a playing pathway to help keep the students in the game for the long term.”

Surf Coast Secondary College’s Peter Raidme said the partnership was part of the college’s Future Ambitions program.

“It loosely gets them into different workplaces but also community groups like this. The idea is to strengthen those links between the school and community groups – the bowls club, in this particular case.”