SEE HOW PLAYING BOWLS CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Residents across St Helens and Knowsley are being encouraged to feel the benefits of being more active by trying a beginners course in bowls. Taking part can give yourself a boost, feel more refreshed and is a great way to meet new people.
‘Bowl for Health’ is a six week programme designed for complete newcomers to bowls, providing an overview of the basics and how to play a match. Run by welcoming coaches and club volunteers, the programme is due to start up again in 2020.
The programme is being led by MSP, after being successfully rolled out across Merseyside over the last two years. The idea for Bowl for Health was developed and successfully piloted in 2017 by Formby Village Sports Club, and the programme has also had support from the National Lottery Community Fund.
One participant – Tom, 60, explained how taking part has helped him to feel less isolated, “Being on my own is very difficult – it’s hard to come to terms with the fact that you can’t turn around to speak to anyone. I got a note through my door about the Bowl for Health course and I was really interested in joining. My father was a great bowler in Liverpool and I used to go and watch him play, but I’ve never played before myself. I’ve only been playing bowls for a short time, but I’ve found the activity very invigorating – both from a physical and mental side – so with this you get the best of both worlds!”
Danny Woodworth, from MSP, said, “Being active doesn’t need to mean joining a gym, it’s about finding an activity that you enjoy – people have told us that bowling is a great way to enjoy gentle exercise in a relaxed and sociable environment. Bowl for Health is for anybody to join in with – it doesn’t matter what your age, experience or level of fitness is.”
A new Bowl for Health course is starting up at:
· Rainhill Bowling Club (Victoria Terrace, L35 0LH) from 10.00am to 12.00pm Saturday 28th March 2020 (for 6 weeks). For more information or to book your place please contact Eric Davies on 0151 426 5818 or email [email protected]
For further information about the programme please visit www.merseysidesport.com/bowlforhealth or call MSP on 0151 728 1811.
