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15 July 2009
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Bowls

Jet Thomas from Gelli Park in action at the West End in Merthyr How many sports can the family play together and all compete without age or gender being a barrier? Mostyn Davies says bowls is fun for all.

Someone once said about bowls that you can learn to play in an hour but it takes a lifetime to master.

Thats a fair summary for a sport most of us have tried in one form or another from the garden game like boules or petanque to the school playground marbles, curling on ice or even the old western horseshoe-at-a-stick version.

Basically the competitor who gets their ball / wood / stone / horseshoe nearest the target wins. It's as simple as that.

Bowls is having an explosion of interest since the indoor version of the sport hit television and there are more young people taking it up than ever before.

Like other very popular sports, it's cheap and you won't have to travel far to get to a bowling green or even an indoor stadium.

Men and women can play the game together so it's an ideal family sport.

Hardly a village in Wales doesn't have a bowling green or two - there are 25 indoor venues stretching the length and breadth of the principality and 297 clubs using outdoor greens, most of them in the south east.

In South East Wales there are indoor stadia at Newport, Cardiff, Cwmbran, Merthyr, Mountain Ash, Pontypridd, Pontllanfraith, Sully and Bridgend.

All of them welcome newcomers to the sport and every club using the stadium has coaches who are only to keen to teach people the rudiments of the game.

You don't even have to buy the woods to begin with because they are available for hire.


See our Community Sport Web Guide for more about bowls in South East Wales or read about the Beechwood Bowling Club in Newport.

Comment on this story

Chris Miller
I retire in less than one year hence. Maybe I will return to Llanhilleth, the place of my birth so could anyone tell me if there is a bowls club in the town. Thanking you for your attention in this matter.

Melissa, Bridgend
I've been playing bowls for 7 years and LOVE it. I can play with my grandfather or uncle and it's great. I play for Pencoed and we would be happy if any girls, boys, men and women would join up. The coaches there are brilliant and have taught me a lot, and you still keep learning on the way. If you don't like it, it would still be a great experience!!

Bob Dunbar, Kegworth, Derbyshire
I have played bowls for two years with Kegworth bowls club. However I am moving to Cwmbran in April and am looking to join a bowls club for the 2007 season. We shall be living in Two Locks area.

Keith Davies, Barry
I took up bowls three years ago at the age of 56 and wish I had taken it up 30 years ago. My club Millwood are looking for new members and would be pleased to see you at any time, whatever your standard.

Glyn Parry, Cwmbran
I have played bowls for 38 years, I am still learning and I am a coach. If any one would like to learn to play, or players who are looking for a new club to improve their game and be a member of a top club. Well we are looking for new members at Pontyfelin Bowls Club, New Inn, Pontypool. Ladies, men young or old (boys & girls) (We run a young persons policy under the Local Authority) you are all welcome, start now, For the 2007 season. So to join reply. A warning once you start this game you will never give it up.

Natalie,13 from Newport
I play bowls - it is really enjoyable and I have made great friends the same age as me. Newport Athletic Club(Rodney Parade) are always happy to welcome newcomers - men and women, boys and girls!

Joan Curnuck from Rogerstone
Cefn Wood Ladies Bowls Club, Ebenezer Drive, Rogerstone is looking for new members of any ability. Come and have a try. Ladies practice night is Mondays starting 17th April 2006 at 5.30pm. You'll be assured of a warm welcome.

Gill from Cardiff
I am looking for any info on Howard Gardens Bowls Club

John Thomas from Treorchy
It is nice to see my photo at the top of the article. I have played bowls for 40 years, in spite of having partial spine bifida. I had major surgery when I was 14 on my spine, and had to learn to walk again at 15. I took up bowls at 16 for therapy. It soon became an obsession. I won the Welsh singles at 21 and 31, then the World singles final at 32, and many tournmant wins . I was captain of wales in 1988. Not bad for someone with a disability. All this was posible because there was so many greens to chose from. It is the finest game for ALL, why not try it? By the way the photo at the top of this article shows me playing at merthyr the score 21-0



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