Roll up your sleeves and get rolling

LEONGATHA Bowls Club held two successful ‘come try days’ to help encourage community members to get involved in the great social sport of bowls.

While the weather wasn’t kind, there were still plenty of interested attendees on Sunday, November 26, at the club.

Speaking with the Sentinel-Times was coordinator Jeff Pendergast, who was pleased with the turnout. 

“There’s been about 16 adults and four kids (today) which are great numbers,” he said.

“Down the track we may get about six or seven members, and out of that there will be three or four that stay on with the club and help out with all the functions.”

Jeff explained the events were a first for the club in a long time, highlighting they hope to make it more regular.

“There was a few of us that were concerned that membership was dropping away, but we had a meeting and decided we would do this,” he said.

“And also with the business and barefoot bowls, we thought we would run two sessions of that this year.

“We then took our proposals to the board and got approval; we've formed a subcommittee for organising these things.”

Jeff further highlighted that many bowls clubs in the area were struggling for members, and many had to get creative.

“There's been some that have had good success in recruiting, but most clubs and memberships are dwindling,” he said.

“A lot of times with clubs, most people don't seriously play bowls until they retire.

“And without those retirees that we're not getting in, and the rest of us are getting too old, let's face it, the average membership of the club is getting pretty close to 80.” 

However, Jeff remained optimistic that the club will turn its fortunes around as they look to explore more options to attract members.

The club is hosting sessions on a Monday that require no bookings and those interested can just turn up and receive coaching lessons.

For more information, visit leongatha.bowls.com.au