Clubs unite to drive lawn bowls inclusion for the Brisbane Olympic Games

THE Longest Roll campaign made key stops in the Northern Rivers as lawn bowls officials continue advocating for the sport to be included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The nationwide road tour is travelling from Sydney to Brisbane, stopping at 32 bowls clubs along the way in a symbolic journey linking the Sydney 2000 Olympics with the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Cherry Street Sports Ballina, Club Tweed and Ocean Shores Country Club formed the Northern Rivers leg of the journey, with the initiative supported by Bowls Australia and the state bodies.

Tour manager Tony Carter said the initiative was designed to showcase both the sport and the role bowls clubs play within communities across Australia.

Bowls has long been a fixture of the Commonwealth Games, but campaigners believe it also deserves a place on the Olympic program.

“There are a lot of meetings occurring behind the scenes with the Olympic committees, the International Olympic Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee,” Carter said.

“What we’re doing is bringing that to the public focus to try and gather support from the public.

“One of the things the Olympic committees would love is strong support and spectators at the sports, and if we can generate that support from the public, we’ll get that for sure.”

The event has been embraced by clubs along the route, with bowlers taking part in a one-bowl triples format that adds extra pressure and excitement to each delivery.

Teams have also been split into Australia and the rest of the world to create an Olympic-style feel.

Carter said venues on the Northern Rivers demonstrated the strong community culture that bowls clubs offered.

He also challenged outdated stereotypes about the sport, saying lawn bowls now attracted many younger players, including members of the national Jackaroos squad who are younger than some players in the Australian cricket team.

“The old myth about bowls being a game for old people is just not accurate anymore,” he said.

“There are so many young people playing the game.

“The Australian side is a very young side and those bowlers are fearless. They are tremendous, excellent skills, and Australia is one of the powerhouse nations of the world in terms of bowls.”