Will Lawn Bowls Soon Be Extinct in Some Parts of the World?
June 25, 2010 by lawn bowls
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.
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Sport on TV makes that particular sports popular. The major ‘bodies’ representing lawn bowling around the world should approach the many brodcasting companies, introduce the management to the game and try to get the sport a better coverage than it gets at present. Try to convince the TV company management that they thought up the idea of showing lawn bowling more than they do and get companies to sponsor the sport through advertising. I am sure it could be achieved if there was enough willpower.
Bowls needs the folks who have made Premier League Darts such a huge attraction to get on board & do the same to Bowls!
This concer about the number of lawn bowlers declining doesn’t make sense. So long as more people begin bowling when they retire there is no need for any young people to join (not that it wouldn’t be desirable). With the increase in the baby boom generation you can actually expect an increase in bowlers.
For example, I am 66, born in 1946, the first of the baby boomer bulge and I just started!
The demographics of the baby boomer years is a fair point however look at international competitions and it is the younger players who succeed. There is an image problem and yes the marketing strategy needs to raise its game. There are modernising issues with dress codes and coloured bowls to tempt the younger players. Despite this we still see a drop off in the number of players which effects the viability of clubs and ultimately the sport. We need robust recruitment and retention policies with marketing and support across the sport.