"The club members as well, they are really good people, they made me feel welcome. When you get people like that it makes you want to come back again and again."
She said it was quite a technical sport and very challenging. "It reminds me a lot of pool. The ball is just not going into the pockets."
Smith, Lowe and Varley were in action at the weekend during the Ngongotaha Bowling Club's Junior Optional Pairs Tournament.
Junior tournaments are reserved for players who have been playing lawn bowls for eight years or less.
Ngongotaha Bowling Club controlling body Lillie Mohi said they had a great turnout on Saturday and Sunday. The event was full at the weekend with 28 teams (56 players) from across the upper North Island.
Mohi said they had been getting quite a few new members at the Ngongotaha club through their Twilight social nights on a Thursday, which were open to anyone wanting to have a go.
"What we do is say 'come in and have a go' and we are getting more members through that. They realise 'oh my gosh' it is not an old person game."
Lowe said he joined the Ngongotaha club after taking part in the Twilight nights.
"This is my first season playing. It is good exercise and something I really wanted to do.
"Last year, one of the older bowlers said 'why don't you go down to the club, and I joined the social drinkers club on a Thursday."
Errol said he was enjoying the game and was still trying to master the two main disciplines: weight (length) and green (width). He said his coach and fellow club member John Hohepa had helped him a lot.
Varley, from the Reporoa club, encouraged anyone to get into the sport. "I think it is quite a skilful game, there is a lot to it."
