Bowls: Youthful infusion makes for more colourful blend

Dean Drummond, Glenys Riddell, Jim Bentley, Tianna White, Jack Philip, Byron Brook, and Richard Hocking at Bowls Heretaunga show age groups can mingle with ease.Photo / Paul Taylor.

Bowls Hawke's Bay could well have adopted the 1979 Village People smash hit In the Navy in its drive to attract young talent to its ranks.

"We want you as a new recruit" could have been the slogan in Bowls Hawke's Bay's manoeuvre to entice 25-year-olds and younger to take up the sport which, wrongfully so, is associated with older people.

"Not so," said Jim Bentley, president of Bowls Heretaunga, in Hastings. "Bowls has undergone a metamorphosis and we now have over 3000 bowlers between the ages of 12 and 18 in various youth programmes run by Bowls New Zealand. It has rejuvenated a sport that was rapidly losing players. Nationally there is a new dynamic and a new life in bowls. And we don't want to be left behind."

He pointed out that more and more young people, both male and female, take up bowls as a sport.

Bay under-25s have enjoyed considerable success regionally, nationally and internationally.

Sisters Angela and Mandy Boyd are graduates of the secondary schools' system and under-25 selection, and both represented New Zealand in the recently-held Eight Nations tournament in Scotland

Bentley pointed out that there was now greater recognition from schools of the importance of bowls in school sports programmes.

The key to the 25 and under program is to find talent for a Development team to play in New Zealand tournaments next season.

"I believe it is a great opportunity for under 25 year olds to learn the game and go on to represent our region in national events. 'Young' players can contact me through Bowls Hawke's Bay. They will be assessed individually at Bowls Heretaunga in Hastings which has indoor and outdoor greens. Once assessed - bowls will be supplied - applicants will be referred to coaches in their home areas at dates and times that suit them. Most clubs now offer coaching and guidance," he said.

Dress code? The staid approach no longer applies. The dress code has been relaxed and it is quite common to find young and older players on the green wearing coloured clothing, and playing with coloured bowls, which makes the game far more interesting and attractive to play, and also as a spectator sport. Bowls is also a very cost effective sport, when compared to the other codes.

Younger players interested can contact Jim Bentley on 878 8572, or by email helbent@actrix.co.nz