Bolsover bowls event aims to spread sport to younger audience

Shirebrook Model Village beat Whitwell Primary into second place, securing the trophy on the last wood, of the last end, of the last match - and even then it needed the tape measure to divide the teams!

Bolsover District Council agreed to host the pilot competition at its Clowne Sports Centre with twelve school teams taking part. Bolsover District Bowls Development Group supported by the councils Sports Development Team went round the schools prior to the competition to deliver coaching and explain the rules.

Bolsover District Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion said, “The matches were very competitive but played in the right spirit and I must congratulate everyone who took part in providing some enthralling games. Even though the players had limited coaching, you could see the determination to win and the enjoyment in their faces that they really took to the sport.

“Bowls is often associated with the elderly, but by staging competitions like this we hope to change this perception and show that it is a sport for all ages and encourage more people to play and join their local club.”

It is now hoped to stage an outdoor competition in the Spring of 2014 and that youngsters will be inspired enough to take up the game at their local bowls clubs. For more information please telephone Boslover District Council on 01246 242362 or visit www.bolsover.gov.uk