Craig Bowler is hailing the inclusive sport of bowls
Bowlsâ Big Weekend is taking place between 26-29 May, with clubs across the country opening their doors to new players hoping to give the sport a go for the first time.
Triple amputee Bowler first tried the sport around 15 years ago, having been introduced to the sport by a family friend after an attempted suicide attempt that saw him lose two legs and an arm.
And Bowler, who won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games last summer, believes that if he can play bowls, anyone can.
James taking his first ever bowl! #BowlsBigWeekend at Bitton Park BC@avivaplc pic.twitter.com/SZEE1oEE2e
â Bowls England (@BowlsEngland) May 29, 2023
He said: âWhen youâre someone like me, and people are like âI donât think I can do itâ – just look at me. Iâve got no legs and one arm, and I have a bronze medal.
âI think thatâs why we need to get people to play bowls, because if you put your mind to it, people can do anything. People like myself show that in the sport, and thatâs what weâre hoping to do with Bowlsâ Big Weekend.
âBowls is a massive sport for anybody. It doesnât matter what background you come from, what colour your skin is, what disability youâve got, how old you are or how young you are – itâs for absolutely everyone.
âMost sports, a lot of them are only for young players, where with bowls itâs so huge and massive for all ages. It gives people the opportunity that if they just want to take it up for a social life, you can do it and go from there.
âThe amount of people Iâve met through the bowls world is unbelievable. Itâs the best thing Iâve ever done, and Iâd advise anyone if they wanted to give it a go, then try.â
đŁ Bowls’ Big Weekend is here!
đ Join us for a weekend of bowls, sunshine and more importantly, FUN!
đ Find your nearest participating club https://t.co/GhsqMDAv4v
đ¤ We are thrilled to have @avivaplc as the official partner!#BowlsBigWeekend #AvivaBowls #MyFirstBowl pic.twitter.com/FIWM4rWpDj
â Bowls England (@BowlsEngland) May 26, 2023
Bowler and the rest of the Team England squad captivated the nation last summer at the Commonwealth Games, with millions tuning in to follow action in Leamington Spa – the sportâs spiritual home.
And Bowler hopes that the boost the sport received last summer will continue this weekend, with bowling greens across the country open for people to use.
Bowler added: âTo have the Commonwealth Games in our country to represent bowls, around 20,000 people signed up for bowls clubs just watching the Commonwealth Games.
âThatâs what itâs all about and itâs so important to get other players in and try it. Itâs great, and I think with the Commonwealth Games and doing Bowlsâ Big Weekend every year, I think we need to carry on doing that and doing some fun stuff with them.
âThis Bowlsâ Big Weekend is all around the country.. Weâve got 2000 bowlsâ greens in England, so it really can be for everyone. Itâs so important to get other people involved and have fun with it.â
To find your nearest participating club and sign up for a free session go to bowlsbigweekend.com