“Bowls is an old man’s game, isn’t it?”
Well, that is far from the truth these days, especially at Spalding Indoor Bowls Club.
The club, its committee and qualified coaches ensure that bowls is open to all – and is a game for life.
A club spokesman said: “We try to encourage new members of all ages, of all abilities – there are opportunities for every level of bowler at SIBC.”
The club offers newcomers bowls all year round and can tailor the requirements to every individual with the flexibility of coaches.
Taster sessions are offered, where anyone can just turn up and send a few bowls down. If you enjoy it then beginners’ courses and improvers’ courses are offered to ensure everyone gets adequate tuition and are not just thrown in at the deep end.
Bowls International wrote recently about SIBC: “What is most noticeable was there was a well-oiled, coherent progression ladder for new bowlers to climb and are not left out in the cold once the initial course is complete.”
Of course, bowls is also about making new friends and socialising. SIBC boasts a good social side organised by a proactive committee. A nice bar and eating area, and plans to update the viewing area complete the package.
Investment over the last few years has impressed indoor bowls’ governing body EIBA and the reward is Spalding will host the National Under-15 and Under-18 singles finals next March – a very big deal for a forward-thinking club.
The club boasts a very successful junior section – and over the last ten years has had one of the strongest under-25 sides in the country.
The junior section is run by under-25 co-ordinator and National Grade Umpire Colin Wilson and his team of coaches on Saturday mornings from early September.
The spokesman said: “Not only is the game of bowls taught but also tactics and etiquette. This enables us to find talented players, with the right attitude to be successful players should they so wish.
“The club is also quick to move promising young players up into senior sides.”
This initiative has enabled the club to currently be one of the strongest sides in the country, having reached the quarter-final of the men’s national team knockout (the FA Cup of bowls) and the final of the National Top Club, which is a mixed team competition.
Spalding’s success is not just confined to teams – at present it has the men’s national triples champions, two newly-selected Under-18 internationals, an Under-25 lady international, a senior lady international, two senior men internationals and a wheelchair international.
“It should be noted, most of these players came through the junior section”, said the spokesman.
The wheelchair international, David Smith, is a coach too and there are three specifically modified wheelchairs for use on the greens.
Leagues run virtually every weekday, starting with Morning League at 10am, Lunchtime League, Afternoon league and then Early Evening League at 6.35pm. All of these are mixed leagues. Ladies also have a Tuesday afternoon league.
There is also an over-50 club on Friday mornings, which promotes other sports too.
Weekends see County League matches with men’s and mixed teams. There is also a men’s over-60 team and ladies’ County League teams.
And there is a big programme of friendly matches against other clubs. These are very popular, with good bowls, good fun and good atmosphere run by a band of friendly captains.
The spokesman said: “Come along at any time to the Castle Sports Complex and take a look, have a coffee and a chat with our bowlers, it really is a great game.”
Ring 01775 762178 to find out about taster sessions or pop along to the learner sessions which start on Tuesday, May 27 ay 6.30pm and Wednesday, May 28 at 2pm.
