Australasia > Australia > New South Wales > Sydney > Articles > Lawn Bowls Australia

“Nice Stevie, that’s shot bowl I reckon.” “Yeah mate, it looks like we’ve got room to draw a second one too. But we should get a back bowl in there to defend the drive.” In Australia, discussing lawn bowls strategy has traditionally been the preserve of older folk, usually kitted out in club whites for an afternoon on the green. But then a funny thing happened: Aussies discovered that lawn bowls is the perfect outdoor social activity, combining as it does fresh air and sunshine with cheap beer and a game everyone can play. These days, an earnest green-side chat about whether to draw a shot on the forehand might as easily be heard among a bunch of sexy young things celebrating a 21st, a group of city professionals on a company bonding session or a few lads from the local rugby team.

The game’s revival in Australia began at the turn of the millennium, as clubs recognised that their foundation post-war generation membership was dwindling and few young people were interested in taking up what was perceived as an activity for seniors. The game seemed destined to wither away, until a handful of clubs began inviting non-members to play on Sundays. The spark lit a fire and by the time a hit TV show featured its groovy young cast drinking beer and trading banter over a “barefoot bowls” session, it had become a social phenomenon.

Clubs around Australia now encourage non-members to play and welcome visitors from overseas. Barbecue facilities and stereo speakers carrying pop tunes and disco classics feature at many clubs on Sunday afternoons – some even put on live jazz bands. And you could hardly ask for a more relaxed club dress code than the bare feet, t-shirt and shorts that comprise the standard uniform of the social lawn bowler.

It’s an unbeatable way to mingle with the locals too, as one of Sydney’s leading bowls clubs associations has it, “Have a Beverage, BBQ, Bowls & Bonding session with us and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere on the greens secure in the knowledge that everyone – no matter what level of fitness or age – can participate”.

So whether you can employ phrases such as “kiss the jack” with confidence, or you know the difference between a backhand and forehand draw, you will find few cheerier ways to spend an afternoon out in the Australian sunshine.

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