Hello readers, it’s Kerry and William here, talking bowls!
Many of you know we enjoy activities that People First Dorset (PFD) organise and are chosen by us. Lots of us want to be fitter, so with funding from Sport England, PFD are running some sports taster sessions in the community for us.
They’ve included tennis, kickboxing, cricket, and more! Last week we went bowling at Dorchester Bowls Club.
I, Kerry, knew little about bowls, always thinking it’s an older person’s game. Now I know it’s not like that at all.
We like that you can play it inside or outside, and it’s easy to get the hang of. The bowls area is like a pool table, but on the ground! To play, someone throws a jack onto the mat. Each person then rolls a biased ball onto the mat, so it lands as close to the jack as possible. The ball landing closest to the jack gets 3 points, then 2 and 1 point for the next two closest.
We played in groups of 3 and were paired with coaches and volunteers from the Bowls Club. They were all lovely, friendly, helpful and fun!
I, William, really enjoyed it, getting the hang of curving the ball quickly and winning several times! I, Kerry, think William was good as he is calm and patient, which you need in bowls! Our friend Jack, who used to play with his Grandad, is also very good. I, Kerry, enjoyed it, but even in the accessible chair, found it hard to get down low enough. Maybe a piping shute, could make it easier.
We’d both go again though as it was fun, a welcoming and lovely atmosphere, and an all year-round social sport we could play with friends.
The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff