What is Lawn Bowling?
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Bowls is a strategic, challenging and fun sport that can be enjoyed by anyone. It is played on a large smooth grass surface called a “green”. Lawn bowls are large, hard resin balls with a bias to them, so that they travel along an elliptical path, rather than going straight. The object of the game is to roll your bowls closer to the target than your opponents. The target is a small white ball called a “jack”. The jack is rolled the length of the green to start each end. Players from each team taking turns rolling their bowls down the green toward the jack until all the bowls have been played.
Bowls involves offensive and defensive strategy. An added challenge is the Jack or target may be displaced within the confines of the rink by the movement of any bowl.
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Who can play? |
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Everybody can play the game of Lawn Bowls! It is a low impact game that is extremely accessible and great for any age.
One of the best parts about the sport is that anyone can play no matter their skill level. You don’t have to be able to jump high or run fast to enjoy the sport. It is all hand eye coordination and allows everyone to start at the same level. Local clubs have all the equipment required to get you started. Many corporations are accessing their local lawn bowls clubs to host corporate social events and team building sessions as the game is very quickly picked up. Bowls charity functions are also increasing in popularity. Designed to get people out on the green enjoying the sunshine, they are a unique way to raise money for your favourite charity. Don’t wait for another day to start making new friends while learning a fun new activity. |
Benefits etc!
Any form of exercise is good for your health, no matter how gentle it may be. And, if you are participating in a team sport, such as lawn bowls, it helps improve your social life too, which contributes to all round happiness and well-being. Whether you are under ten or over eighty and are taking up the sport for the first time, lawn bowls is a great game for people of all ages.
What Does Lawn Bowls Involve? Lawn bowls is a game of concentration, precision and accuracy and involves rolling biased or irregular balls as close as possible to a white ball called the Jack. It has been a popular sport for centuries and there are thousands of bowls clubs around the world. As the sport does not involve periods of prolonged and intense activity, it can be played by pretty much anyone. The game is either taken up as a social activity – strictly for leisure – or it can also be played at competition level, for those who want to give themselves more of a challenge. Can It Improve My Health? Sports and physical activity is beneficial to your health as it keeps you active and alleviates boredom. A US study also revealed that bowls players had a lower fat content when compared with people who did not participate in activities which is another good reason to take up the sport! However, if you do decide to take up lawn bowls, it is always best to check with your doctor first, especially if you have not taken up any form of sport for some time. Here are some of the benefits: Fitness - Lawn bowls helps moderately improve muscle strength (arm, shoulder, leg muscles), flexibility and endurance. Mental Health - The game gets you out into the fresh air and helps alleviate depression and anxiety. Increases Skills - Bowls involves some element of problem solving skills and also helps improve co-ordination and concentration Improves Confidence - Participating in a sport helps improve self-esteem and gets you out and about and meeting people. Self-Discipline - Sports such as lawn bowls involves turning up on time and being organised. Dress code - Some clubs have a uniform. St Mary's has a casual dress code. Wear shoes with a flat sole (no tread) is important as the green is a natural grass surface and can be damaged accidentally. Social Interaction - Lawn bowls helps improve social skills and being part of a team also gives you a sense of belonging. |