The Future of Bowls Looks Bright

ADVERTISING

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ettalong Bowling Club and the Central Coast Sports College (CCSC) outlines a commitment from the Club to provide two $8000 scholarships per year, while the college is responsible for creating the pathway for students looking to train professionally in bowls.

“We're looking to expose bowls as an alternative sport and give people the chance to possibly represent the country at the Commonwealth Games or the World Cup or whatever their end goal may be,” Ettalong Bowling Club CEO Tim McGavin told ClubLIFE, adding that they aim to nurture the next generation of bowlers coming through.

“We're in a fortunate position where we've got two top class coaches who have been involved in junior bowls in the past, through Bowls NSW and Bowls Australia, so it's an opportunity for us to utilise their skills and their knowledge and pass it on to the next generation.”

Tim sees the program as a tool to help save the future of bowls and bowling clubs in Australia, by supporting and empowering young players to pursue the sport which is stereotypically for an older generation.

“We've been trying to recruit for as long as I can remember but while it is changing slowly, it is seen still as an older person sport,” Tim said.

“I stress that perception has changed, but at the moment we're not increasing the membership numbers throughout the state, and the other problem is that if our membership increases it's at the detriment of another bowling club.”

The program is anticipated to commence in term one of 2024.