Albert Bowls Club
Albert Bowls Club
Interview with Balan Pillay
Albert Bowls Club – Gympie
Today’s local Bowlo offers much more than cheap beer and a place for older people to spend their days (aka Cracker Jack). Now family gatherings and social occasions are celebrated on the greens with barefoot bowls, competitions are played with teams of bowlers that can range from 8 – 80 (and beyond). A person in a wheelchair can play with their mates in a prized national competition, as can granddaughters and granddads.
The Albert Bowls Club’s synergy with Outdoors for Life philosophy is strong with programs including “learn to bowl”, schools programs, and Bowls Gr8 for Brains.
How does someone start?
Come in and say hello! There’s always someone ready for a roll-up. Anyone can book in for a game of barefoot bowls. It’s fun, easy to do and very social. Particularly when you use the wrong bias and fetch your bowl from the next rink. Barefoot Bowls is such a great way to socialise with everyone. Age, ability and gender are not a consideration. It’s a fun, outdoor activity, and the greens are always full of smiling people!
You mention smiling people, what is Bowls Gr8 for Brains?
Bowls Gr8 for Brains is a program focused on mental health and well-being. It originated as a program for people living with PTSD such as veterans and emergency services workers. The program offers a free opportunity for people to gather without any pressure or judgement. Trained volunteers are there to listen and chat. Today the program is available to anyone interested in improving their mental health and wellbeing, by being active outdoors in a supportive environment. Albert Bowling Club received great support from the community for the initial session and are looking forward to building the group.
Is lawn bowls really something people can do all their lives?
Yes! Albert Bowls Club are very committed to the junior programs. They are currently working with two high schools, James Nash and St Patricks Schools. Nearly 90 students are involved. The youth are aged between 14 -17 years. In the 4-week program they learn the fundamentals of Bowls. If students wish to continue, a junior program and junior academy is offered. Coaches are available to take the players right through to the elite levels. The schools’ programs are so important on several levels. The program teaches skills that the students will use for life. The bias creates new challenges that require a calm mind and controlled technique whilst the game requires tactical thinking. Even if the students don’t take up bowls at this time of their lives, they will have the fundamental skills to use as they get older.
What sort of pathways are available?
Bowls has so many options. There are social days and nights, casual roll ups and social competitions for those that just want to have some fun outdoors and meet new people. For those that want to progress, there are opportunities to play with state, national and international competitions. Bowls is a Commonwealth Games sport in which Australia does very well, particularly with our parasports team! There is some great prize money to play for as well! The Bowls Premier League is a professional, televised competition. As a career, the options are endless, including: greenkeeper, competition manager, coach, club manager, media guru, administrator and Regional Bowls Manager.
Speaking with Balan, it is obvious that the best “thing” about Bowls is the relationships that form at the club. Everyone belongs as a bowler, regardless of ability, gender, age or cultural background. There are unique opportunities for valuable transgenerational mentorships, not often created in our communities anymore.
This weekend, get outdoors for life and take the whole extended family to your local Bowlo!
By Fiona Coppin
Interview with Balan Pillay
Albert Bowls Club – Gympie
Today’s local Bowlo offers much more than cheap beer and a place for older people to spend their days (aka Cracker Jack). Now family gatherings and social occasions are celebrated on the greens with barefoot bowls, competitions are played with teams of bowlers that can range from 8 – 80 (and beyond). A person in a wheelchair can play with their mates in a prized national competition, as can granddaughters and granddads.
The Albert Bowls Club’s synergy with Outdoors for Life philosophy is strong with programs including “learn to bowl”, schools programs, and Bowls Gr8 for Brains.
How does someone start?
Come in and say hello! There’s always someone ready for a roll-up. Anyone can book in for a game of barefoot bowls. It’s fun, easy to do and very social. Particularly when you use the wrong bias and fetch your bowl from the next rink. Barefoot Bowls is such a great way to socialise with everyone. Age, ability and gender are not a consideration. It’s a fun, outdoor activity, and the greens are always full of smiling people!
You mention smiling people, what is Bowls Gr8 for Brains?
Bowls Gr8 for Brains is a program focused on mental health and well-being. It originated as a program for people living with PTSD such as veterans and emergency services workers. The program offers a free opportunity for people to gather without any pressure or judgement. Trained volunteers are there to listen and chat. Today the program is available to anyone interested in improving their mental health and wellbeing, by being active outdoors in a supportive environment. Albert Bowling Club received great support from the community for the initial session and are looking forward to building the group.
Is lawn bowls really something people can do all their lives?
Yes! Albert Bowls Club are very committed to the junior programs. They are currently working with two high schools, James Nash and St Patricks Schools. Nearly 90 students are involved. The youth are aged between 14 -17 years. In the 4-week program they learn the fundamentals of Bowls. If students wish to continue, a junior program and junior academy is offered. Coaches are available to take the players right through to the elite levels. The schools’ programs are so important on several levels. The program teaches skills that the students will use for life. The bias creates new challenges that require a calm mind and controlled technique whilst the game requires tactical thinking. Even if the students don’t take up bowls at this time of their lives, they will have the fundamental skills to use as they get older.
What sort of pathways are available?
Bowls has so many options. There are social days and nights, casual roll ups and social competitions for those that just want to have some fun outdoors and meet new people. For those that want to progress, there are opportunities to play with state, national and international competitions. Bowls is a Commonwealth Games sport in which Australia does very well, particularly with our parasports team! There is some great prize money to play for as well! The Bowls Premier League is a professional, televised competition. As a career, the options are endless, including: greenkeeper, competition manager, coach, club manager, media guru, administrator and Regional Bowls Manager.
Speaking with Balan, it is obvious that the best “thing” about Bowls is the relationships that form at the club. Everyone belongs as a bowler, regardless of ability, gender, age or cultural background. There are unique opportunities for valuable transgenerational mentorships, not often created in our communities anymore.
This weekend, get outdoors for life and take the whole extended family to your local Bowlo!
By Fiona Coppin