Coloured Polo Shirts can now be seen on bowling lawns across the UK as many teams are trying to encourage younger players to join. "In this new attire we feel ready to accept the challenge from the youngsters of both sexes from North Hertfordshire bowling together with us on the bowling greens and to thus preserve the game of bowls for future generations,” said bowler Ken Porter, who is also a vice captain of his club. For many years, the proper attire for a game consisted of plain Polo Shirts
, slacks, and blazers."Bowls is a game for the young, they bring vitality and style to the game that is all their own, and what is more they expect to win, and win they do,” said Porter. Coloured lawn bowls are also being introduced. In addition to new clothing and equipment, the bowling clubs in North Hertfordshire will also be extending bowling lessons to local schools and financial help in paying for equipment. “We have allocated every Monday and Friday afternoon for free school use from the start of May to the end of July," said Porter.
But will new Polo Shirts and equipment be enough to entice the younger generation to take up lawn bowling? By offering lessons to schools, children will get the opportunity to learn a sport which they may very well enjoy. It is difficult to say if these tactics will catch on, but since lawn bowling is a staple in many communities, revamping it with colour and a more relaxed atmosphere may help revitalise this sport after all.
(c)Paula Jensen, www.sxc.hu