Lawn Bowling for All
Australian Leisure Sport for Retirees Grows among Aussie Youth
Both young and old enjoy the sport of lawn bowling. This 1,000 year old sport has had a sudden revival in Australia as the younger generations catch the fever.
A sport played by literary masters, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns, has now become the social sport for young Australians. Lawn bowling is over 1,000 years old and has roots that stem even further back to the time of Julius Caesar. The sport was popular mainly among the older aristocracy as a leisure sport. However, recently young Australians have caught onto the sport played by their grandfathers.
Lawn bowling is played with eight balls that one rolls toward a white ball (the jack) at the end of a grassy lawn. The aim is to get your balls as close to the jack as possible. Sounds simple enough but keep in mind that the balls are oblong (not round) and tend to curve toward the end of their path. The ball called the 'bowl' is marked on each side with different sized circles. If one wants the ball to curve left roll with the small circle on the inside and likewise for the right curve. Once one is able to accomplish how to 'steer' the ball the next trick is how to maneuver the ball around all the other balls on the court from previous bowls.
The game doesn't require much skill and is great for social events and parties. "It doesn't cost much to play and there is cheap beer and snacks as well. It is great for parties," said Shannon Murdoch, 25, while at a lawn bowling club in Sydney for his friend, Michael Widgery's 25th birthday party.
Clubs now suit a younger vibe with pool tables, modern music, big screen televisions to entertain their new market. Yet, children are also active sports enthusiasts and join in the fun. The game is played barefoot which contributes to this casual relaxed environment. Most clubs offer free equipment and lawns to play making it an easy affordable social sport.
The night club environment attracts young professionals to let their hair down and party during the day. Unlike a night club the sport provides active entertainment than merely just a night life atmosphere. Lawn bowling is great for the tourist of Australia. It is cheap and fun and would make a great pass time for an authentic Australian experience.
Lawn bowling can be a casual sport or for the real professional can be highly competitive and challenging. Australia will host the 2007 World Cup Singles in New South Wales www.bowls-aust.com.au/default.asp.
Whether lawn bowling for sport competitions or recreation, lawn bowling has become an Australian sport for all.
