Deb Waddell Represents Australia in International Disabled Bowls Competition

We all know that lawn bowling is great fun, and that it can also be serious competition. But, can it help when you have a disability? According to Deb Waddell, it can do wonders and get you back in touch with the outdoors, and the people and things around you. That’s a big deal for Waddell, who is partially blind and headed to Petoria, South Africa to compete in The International Bowls for the Disabled.

Lawn bowling is nothing new to Waddell, or her husand, Frank, who is also her director out on the green; Frank also happens to be the President of Disabled Bowls Australia. Since losing her eyesight seven years ago, Deb quickly found that lawn bowls was a great way to relieve stress and put her energy into something that felt great. She quickly took it to the competitive level, and has won the Australian championship five times.

Deb and Frank Waddell are two of 97 lawn bowlers headed to Petoria to take part in the competition, which includes participants from over 20 other countries and has a total of 7 different categories of disabled bowlers. The Waddells and the rest of the Australian team flew out to Petoria on April 27 and they’ll return on May 17.

And the hopeful win of the crown isn’t the only thing that Deb and Frank are looking forward to on this trip; and there’s sure to be another reason why Deb will return to Australia feeling refreshed and rejuvenated – the couple are also squeezing in a vacation to visit Sun City and Pretoria National Park.

Canada and the States Gear Up for North American Challenge

Those who thought that lawn bowling was a sport reserved for those in Britain, Scotland, or Ireland couldn’t be more wrong! Across the other side of the Atlantic Ocean are two very big countries that are very big into lawn bowling – Canada and the United States. The two countries have hundreds of lawn bowling clubs spread throughout their nations, and now they are gearing up to face off against each other in the biennial lawn bowling match, The North American Challenge.

The North American Challenge is a lawn bowling tournament that’s held every two years between the two countries. The competition includes the best lawn bowlers from each country and they will compete against each other in a series of competitions involving singles, doubles, triples, and fours. This year the tournament will be held from September 9 – 11 at the Milwaukee Lake Park Lawn Bowls Club. There will be two matches held every day; one at 9:30 AM and another at 1:30 PM. Opening ceremonies will be held on Thursday, September 9 at 8:30 AM.

Spectators are welcome to come and watch free of charge as some of the best players from each country face off against each other in this competitive sport. One such competitor is Max Cavendar from Milwaukee. Max is only 18 years old and although he doesn’t currently play for Team USA, but he is a young athlete that has shown great promise in the world of lawn bowling and has won the singles title at the Central Divisions Open, where he played an undefeated matchup.

The North American Challenge is a great event that helps these two countries celebrate a sport that they love, even if it’s not what they’re known for. Those who are looking for more information on the event can find it at http://nac2010.wordpress.com.

Will Lawn Bowls Soon Be Extinct in Some Parts of the World?

There seems to be almost nothing wrong about lawn bowling. It’s a relatively easy game to pick up, and when one becomes more advanced in the game, they can work on their strategy of using the bias to get the ball exactly where it’s going. Keeping greens maintained properly is also relatively inexpensive, when compared with other sports venues such as baseball diamonds or ice hockey rinks. But, there is one flaw in lawn bowls, and that’s in people’s perceptions about it. The most common assumption that comes with lawn bowls is that it’s only for older people who are retired and looking for a new hobby. And while that’s obviously not the case, this misconception could cause major problems for the sport in future years.

One of the biggest examples that this problem is found is within the United States. While countries and continents such as India and Australia are highly known for the amount of young people involved in the sport, there are almost none in the United States. And this is because young people in the States seem to have the idea that lawn bowling is not for people of their age. And while this doesn’t seem like a big problem, it could be when you look at the future of lawn bowling in the United States, and in other countries that have this same type of problem.

The problem is that if no young people are going to start getting into the sport, then it could become obsolete when the older people that are keeping the sport alive, are no longer here to play. And with no younger generations to pass the game onto, it does seem as though the sport is in danger of becoming extinct in countries such as the States. But the United States isn’t the only country that lawn bowling isn’t popular among other people. Countries such as China and Canada also don’t see a huge popularity in lawn bowling among young people.

It seems the only answer is to start engaging these young people in the sport now, and promoting the sport among young people. The game doesn’t need to change, it simply needs to be presented in a way that will be more pleasing to those who might be future up and comers in the game of lawn bowling. Otherwise, these countries may not be able to enjoy it for that much longer, and lawn bowling clubs all around the world might just have to fold. Which is undoubtedly a shame that no one wants to see.

A Good Reason to Head to Palo Alto this Weekend!

Of the many lawn bowling events that are bound to make headlines this summer, this weekend’s match in Palo Alto is sure to be one of them! The match will take place between the Palo Alto Lawn Bowls Club and the prestigious Bowls England will compete against each other at the Palo Alto Lawn Bowls Club on Sunday, May 2, 2010.

The event comes after Chris Smith, president of Bowls England, visited the California club back in 2000, and enjoyed himself so much that he’s decided to bring his club back across the pond for a fierce competition of lawn bowls. The competition itself will be tight, as in 2000 the Palo Alto Club beat out England Bowls, only by a slight margin. Smith hasn’t forgotten the loss and is looking forward to coming back. But this time, to return to Britain as champion. And, with the variation on the game this time being the English variant of playing rinks instead of partners, as the Palo Alto Club traditionally plays, it just adds one more element of fierce competition and excitement!

But the two clubs are also enjoying spending some time together again. The game is set to have an early start, and all the players are looking forward to the time they’ll get to spend together afterwards feasting, catching up, and sharing their general love of lawn bowls.

Traditional fare is to be served, including Californian chips and delicious guacamole, English biscuits and of course, plenty of tea to go ’round!

10 Top Tips for Lawn Bowls Beginners

1) Learn the etiquette of the game!
(So you don’t wind up your opponent or give him/her the upper hand)

2) Always stay calm, or give that impression

3) Choose a set of woods that fit your hand, that won’t slip in the wet (ask advise).
Read more

Lawn Bowls Sexiest Women!

Worldbowler has been looking for the sexiest women in bowls. Weve compiled the following beauties and without a doubt – at present it’s Austrailia’s bowls champion Samantha Shannahan a potential inclusion for the bowls team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Read more