New bowls equipment gives players a competitive edge
As Para Bowls takes centre stage at Victoria Park in Royal Leamington Spa this weekend, would-be competitors and players are being encouraged to take up the sport through an investment in specialised equipment.
On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July visitors to Victoria Park bowling greens can enjoy the Disability Bowls England Championship (DBE Championships) finals. This is a free event with play starting from 10 am, where the best para bowlers will compete in the Singles & Pairs disciplines with the winners of each group going forward to the Bowls England National Championships Finals on Monday 30 August to be crowned DBE National Champions 2021.
With the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games just one year away, when the Victoria Park bowling greens will host competitors from around the world for the Para Bowls competition, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) have recently supported Warwick District Council in purchasing new bowling aids and equipment to inspire members of the local community to take up the game.
The new equipment, which is free for public use includes two bowls wheelchairs, ramps and steps to help people get on and off the greens and several other sporting tools designed to help support participants playing and enjoying the sport.
Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, Councillor Liam Bartlett said:
“The Disability Bowls England Championships is an excellent opportunity to see world-class & club para bowlers in the lead up to next year’s Commonwealth Games. The new equipment is there for all to participate in the game of bowls and getting involved in the sport.”
Sarah Windrum, chair of the CWLEP, said:
“This equipment is another important aspect of the legacy this funding will create for Para bowlers in Coventry and Warwickshire and we hope it will encourage more people of all ages to have a go at the sport. Delivering infrastructure which improve residents’ and visitors’ experiences when coming to our towns and city is one of the key aspects of the CWLEP’s Strategic Reset Framework to drive forward our economy and to continue to attract events such as the Disability Bowls England Championship.”
Disability Bowls England Chairperson Steve Watson said:
“For our members to play on the same greens as the Commonwealth Games 2022 will be a pinnacle of their bowling career for most and to have the opportunity to be able to showcase that “Bowls is a Sport for All” and create a legacy of disability bowls thanks to the CWLEP funding, will make Victoria Park an amazing venue and give more opportunities for Disability Bowls England members for years to come.”
This has been made possible by grant funding of almost £1.6m allocated from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) to support infrastructure projects in Royal Leamington Spa related to the town’s preparations for hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
