Louis Ridout is encouraging people to take up the sport of bowls
The 33-year-old, who plays for Kings Bowling Club in Torquay, sealed glorious gold in the menâs triples last year alongside fellow Kings bowler Jamie Chestney and Nick Brett in the most dramatic of circumstances, fending off an Australian comeback to clinch the title.
Millions tuned in to the action at Leamington Spa last summer as England sealed their most successful haul at a Games on the greens, with another Kings bowler Natalie Chestney earning gold in the womenâs triples with Sian Honnor and Jamie-Lea Winch.
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 and now Ridout is hoping his exploits can inspire the next generation to take up the sport.
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
âThe social element is absolutely brilliant,â said Ridout. âYou go down to most clubs on an evening and people are bowling, having a drink; itâs just brilliant for making new friends and getting out of the house.Â
âYou donât have to be fit to play it, follow any fitness regimes, bowls is so inclusive â anyone can give it a go. Itâs an escape â a couple of hours not thinking about too much and just having a laugh.
âA lot of people watched the Commonwealth Games and saw the atmosphere. I speak to people now and they say theyâll give it a go when they retire â I say why when you retire?Â
âI show them some clips and they are surprised by how young some bowlers are. Itâs a lot more enjoyable and louder than people think it is.Â
âNext week is the perfect opportunity to give it a go, find your local club and give it a go. All you need is your flat footwear, theyâll provide everything and hopefully you get hooked.â
The three-time Commonwealth medallist might be at the top of the sport, but Ridout emphasised that the sport can be played by anyone, at any level.
Over 500 clubs will open up their greens to novices across Bowlsâ Big Weekend and the 33-year-old is hopeful that the momentum garnered by last summerâs Games can help propel the inclusive sport to new heights.
âWhen we were actually playing the game, it didnât come to light how many people were actually watching but afterwards once youâve gone back to normality, hearing how many people watched it who have never watched bowls before,â he added.Â
James taking his first ever bowl! #BowlsBigWeekend at Bitton Park BC@avivaplc pic.twitter.com/SZEE1oEE2e
â Bowls England (@BowlsEngland) May 29, 2023
âIt can only be good for our sport, more coverage will hopefully increase participation.
âI hope it came across, the atmosphere generated by 2,500 people there. The noise they created is something I will ever go through in bowls again.Â
âBoth sets of supporters were clapping for Aussie and our bowls, thatâs the beauty of bowls. Itâs a competitive game but there is a friendly atmosphere and I just hope that came across on TV, it was magical.
âItâs such an inclusive sport, anyone can play it; any age, gender, experience, go and give it a go.â
To find your nearest participating club and sign up for a free session go to bowlsbigweekend.com