Bumper weekend of bowls beckons after summer of Commonwealth success

Millions tuned in to watch Nick Brett, Louis Ridout and Jamie Chestney dramatically clinch gold against Australia in the men’s triples, with the nation enraptured by the drama sport can deliver.

It was one of two golds on the greens as England sealed a most successful Games at Victoria Park in Royal Leamington Spa, the spiritual home of bowls, with Jamie-Lea Winch, Natalie Chestney and Sian Honnor also sealing top spot.

And now Jon Cockcroft, Bowls England CEO, is hoping that super summer can inspire all generations to get down to their local green for the first time with the upcoming Bowls’ Big Weekend.

🗣️ “It’s really nice to see people getting into the sport we all love” ❤️

Lorraine Kuhler shares why Bowls’ Big Weekend is the ultimate opportunity to try bowls for free!

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— Bowls England (@BowlsEngland) May 23, 2023

“We had the most successful Commonwealth Games as an England lawn bowls team ever; two wonderful golden moments and huge viewing figures across the BBC,” said Cockcroft. 

“2022 was just amazing for us, a home Commonwealth Games, huge visibility for our sport, great success on the greens. The challenge for Bowls England is to translate that interest into playing our sport and Bowls’ Big Weekend provides the perfect platform to introduce new people to our game.

“Everything we do is about getting people active, with a bowl in their hands, enjoying each other’s company and doing our bit to create a healthier society.

“Bowls certainly has a stereotype, but I think we dispelled that in terms of the quality of the sport and the drama of the action but also, we presented our sport in a really inclusive manner.

“If you looked across the green, you saw in our team a 74-year-old visually impaired guy with his guide dog through to a 22-year-old, all shapes and sizes. I think it was a real celebration of a sport that is truly accessible to huge swathes of the country and I think there were lots of people watching on TV that genuinely thought, ‘I could give that a go.’”

Bowls’ Big Weekend is taking place between 26-29 May, with clubs across the country holding open days to encourage new players to give the sport a go.

The event gives the bowls community the great opportunity to come together and celebrate this great sport, with clubs across the country opening their doors for free to enable new participants to discover everything that is great about this sociable, accessible sport.

The sport is often seen as something for those later in life, but Cockcroft is keen to impress that getting on the green is for everyone, while hailing the fact the sport can still be played when more active sports become out of reach.

“We definitely need to change the stereotype, but we need to do this in the right way,” he added.

Just 4️⃣ days until Bowls’ Big Weekend begins!

Bletchley Town BC (Buckinghamshire) share how the nationwide event has helped them to grow! 📈

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— Bowls England (@BowlsEngland) May 22, 2023

“Rather than being embarrassed that we are a sport for older people, actually we are proud of it, and we are celebrating it. 

“By 2030, one in four of us will be over 60 and most of the people in that age bracket won’t feel old and will want to keep active.

“Bowls is a sport we say can add life to years as well as years to life. We are proud of being a sport that can be played throughout someone’s life, but we need to ensure that we present our sport as something that is not just for older people.

“One of the great things about our sport is the inter-generational element where people can play against each other in a really authentic manner. 

“We have an ageing population and people are increasingly inactive, social isolation is on the rise and bowls is a sport that can bring people together, connect communities and the Bowls’ Big Weekend is a massive example of that. 

“Bowls clubs are pretty much round the corner for everybody and are friendly, sociable, welcoming places where people feel at home. Anyone who visits a club over Bowls’ Big Weekend will be greeted by amazing volunteers who are the heartbeat of bowls, they always go the extra mile to welcome new people and are a credit to our sport.”

“We have got over 500 clubs putting on open days, and it provides a great opportunity for people to try the sport or get back into sport.”

To find your nearest participating club and sign up for a free session go to bowlsbigweekend.com