Photo: Supplied.
Lawn bowls used to be regarded as a game only for older people, but that’s a very outdated perspective, according to Leanne Grieves.
Leanne is one of the five coaches who teach school-age players from age six, and she has been running a junior development squad for over three years with the Junior Wellington Point Bowls Club.
“We encourage families to play together, it’s a game for all ages, and it creates a wonderful family dynamic,” she says. “Our players include three generations from one family; it can become a real family lifestyle activity, and it’s a sport you’ve got for life.”
While young players are usually introduced to bowling by older family members, the connection can also happen in reverse.
“We run classes for Wellington Point Primary School students on Friday afternoons, and one young fellow was so taken with it that he got his parents to ask if he could come back with them and his grandparents for his birthday!”
Leanne says that, as well as being a healthy, good-fun sport, it has valuable life-training elements.
“Our program teaches sports skills but also develops strategic thinking, teamwork and respect, and it’s proven ideal for our young players who have ADHD,” she says. “It’s non-contact, and it’s perhaps the only sport where you don’t need to be big, strong or fast. The young players also help out at lawn bowls events, and that gives them a real sense of responsibility and status.”
There are 18 regular players in the junior group, five of whom now play in competition. Leanne says that the opportunity to compete at the club, local, and state levels strongly appeals to young players.
“We don’t push them, but they love to compete – and competition teaches them how to lose. My motto is that you can’t win if you don’t know how to lose.”
For more information, contact Leanne on 0433 431 248 or visit https://wellingtonpointbowlingclub.com.au/.
