Heads up for lawn bowling

Video

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS & VIDEO - The Plettenberg Bay Bowling Club (PBBC) is going all-out to promote lawn bowls as a sport for all ages - and move away from the misnomer of the game being referred to as "old boys' marbles".

Neil Porter, president of the PBBC, said over the past few decades the sport has been attracting younger players, pointing out that members of the Australian national teams are in their late 20s. Elite players internationally are in their 30s.

Cricket has moved from the stuffy tradition of five-day cricket to the fast and exciting T20 format, to attract new players and crowds.

'Shorter formats'

"The same can be said for the game of lawn bowls where shorter formats of the game have been introduced. As with most clubs, PBBC has a business league that runs twice a year, attracting players who are still economically active," said Porter.

Due to the popularity of this competition, the club is developing a new class of membership that will offer families the opportunity to play and develop their skills.

Porter says the PBBC has produced a video, together with investment firm Personal Trust, "to promote this wonderful game of bowls".

'Age diversity'

Bowls is marketed as a "Sport-4-all" and PBBC highlights the "age diversity" aspect of the club.

"Over the past 10 years, the club has also been involved in youth development that has seen some successes at the Eden district competitions. With all these initiatives, the age demographic of the club and the bowling community will see a major shift in the years ahead," said Porter.

The youth brigade... from left, Caitlyn Otto, Janlu Westraadt, Thomas-James Tarr, Grace van Huyssteen and Willie Lane, the PBBC bowling coach.

Turning 98

The video includes members of the club's Youth Development squad, the youngest of them, Grace Van Huyssteen, having just turned 14 - and the club's oldest active member, Vic Davis, turning 98 in November.

"A challenge match had three of the youngsters playing against the older members - a collective age of 42 against 281 years. I don't think any other sport can boast a similar age diversity," said Porter.

"Lawn bowls is truly a sport that all can play. The game provides the player opportunities regardless of whether the player's motives are competitive or social. Being a low-impact sport, it is fantastic from a rehabilitation point of view and can be played by all regardless of one's physical abilities or condition."

The in-crowd... PBBC lawn bowlers, showing the age difference. From left, Willie Lane, Lanlu Westraadt, Thomas-James Tarr, Grace van Huyssteen, Vic Davis, Rini van der Handel, Brenda Dufuss, John Swinley and Neil Porter. Photo: Supplied