The school of bowls

An introduction to the sport of lawn bowls was held for Neerim District Secondary College last week.

The course, consisting of five one-hour sessions, was run by Neerim District Bowling Club volunteers.

All students enjoyed the course with a large number demonstrating natural talent and quickly showing early skills.

Students were given bowls appropriate to their size and then formed into groups of fours, allocated to rinks and instructors.

The first three sessions taught the curve of the bowl and picking the line to bowl, bowling forehand and backhand and the use of weight for short ends and long ends. Session four had challenges between opposing rinks and the final session allowed students to play as individuals with the distance of their bowls to the jack being recorded.

The number of touchers and bowls within a mat length of the jack was truly impressive given the limited time students had to bowl during the course.

The course has demonstrated that bowls is not just for old people and not just for the athletic. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages and both males and females.