"GETTING INTO LAWN BOWLS"

  [Original "Pen & Wash" sketches by Murray Moorhead - longserving and much valued former Member of the Fitzroy Bowling Club.]

Bowls!! What’s the Aim of The Game

    The object of our game is to score points by getting your bowl/s closer than your opponents bowl/s to a small white ball, known as the "jack", which may be anywhere between 21 and 34 metres away from you.
    Players from each team take turns to roll (i.e. deliver) their bowls down the green towards the jack. After all the bowls have been delivered the “end” is said to be completed and it is determined who has the closest bowl/s. This is how points are scored. A game may be comprised of any number of ends - as set by the conditions of play - maybe 10 ends; or 16 ends or 21 ends or perhaps even 25 ends in a full game of fours.
    A game may be played as first player to reach a pre-determined score (say ‘first to 21 points) or the highest score after a set number of ends - the conditions of play are determined by the event organiser.
    Bowls may also be played as a singles match - 1 against 1 - or as a team game between teams of 2 (pairs) or 3 (triples) or 4 (fours).
    Although the object of the game is quite simple, achieving this objective is what makes bowls such a fascinating and addictive game for so many - the tactics involved in the different types of matches, the offensive and defensive strategies; team dynamics and as well as, of course, the correct execution of the required shots.

Bowls is simple to learn but will keep you hooked whilst you strive for mastery.
 

Bowls!! Who Can Play?            .......   Just about anybody!

    The only physical requirement is to be able to deliver the bowl from one end of the rink to where the “jack” is set. Age will not be a barrier! Gender is not an issue.
    Able bodied and disabled can play side by side, with amputees, deaf, partially sighted, totally blind and wheelchair bowlers all taking part.
 

Bowls!! What Equipment do I Need?

    In the first instance all that is required is a pair of flat soled shoes with no heel or grip. The club has bowls to loan you whilst you try the sport and at this stage no special clothing is required. You won't even have to pay a membership subscription at this stage.
    Once you are hooked and have decided that this would be an enjoyable recreation and/or a competitive sports option for you, you will require your own bowls which can cost up to $600 brand new or a good second hand set can be had for approximately $200 to $300 - A set of bowls will last a lifetime.
    A good pair of Bowling Shoes can cost from as little as $50 up to perhaps $130 for a top brand pair. For official club and interclub competitions you will require bowls pants and shirt/blouse - white or cream - and perhaps optionally, a special Club shirt, rather than a white one, at around $40 each.

    Yearly membership is currently $120 for a full membership of Bowls Fitzroy, but as a Year 1 player this full subscription reduces to $40 for the first season

DO REMEMBER THOUGH !! - Trying the sport will cost you nothing.

             [ The New Plymouth Croquet Club - are our neighbours on the Reserve grounds !! ]

Bowls!! How can I give it a try?

    So you think this sounds interesting and you've decided to see if you can have a go!
People interested in trying lawn bowls should contact the our Club Secretary, Sharon; or the Club Captains Neville Goldsworthy or Marilyn Hill. Contact details are available on our executive committees page.
    Phone  (06) 758-8019  and speak to Sharon. She will be able to help you make contact with the right people including our Club Captains and our coaching convenor, Janice Ropitini. 
We can then organise a ‘try-out’ and perhaps some initial coaching at a mutually agreeable time.
Coaching is free - as is the hire of bowls. The only requirement is that you wear flat soled shoes (no heel) with minimal grip.

Give it a go - you'll wonder why you didn't try it years ago!!

             [ The main rail link to the Port of Taranaki passes close by the Club greens !! ]

Bowls!! How can I arrange some Coaching/Tuition?

    We can provide coaching free of charge to all who are interested in trying/learning the sport and who are keen to perhaps become members of our club.
There is no cost involved for the provision of bowls, coaching or greens use. Our only requirement is that you wear flat soled shoes - no heels or grip.

    The Coaching schedule will normally be finalized soon after our summer playing season opens in September, but if you are interested, Coaching Convenor, Janice Ropitini, would welcome contact from you  -   Ph:     (06) 753-4624 - to arrange for a mutually suitable time[s] and date[s] to make a start.

Corporate / Social Bowls Functions

Get a group of Friends /Neighbours /Workmates together for something a little different?

    We can organise Bar, BBQ and Bowls facilities for your use. Coaching and familiarisation is also provided free of charge. You organize the group! - making sure that they have flat soled shoes [ no heels or heavy tread - socks or barefeet are also OK!].
    Come on down to a fun, relaxed and friendly environment and wind-down after a hard day's work. Organise something different for a birthday bash or other company/staff celebration.

How to Book:
    Contact our Club Secretary or the Promotions Committee Convenor [Denis Toon] with dates, times, and requirements.
    Ph:     (06) 758-9062
              (06) 758-8019

"Businesshouse Bowls"

Our annual businesshouse series - usually held in Feb/March each year - may also be an easy and useful way for you to 'get a taste' of our game. Games are played on one night per week[this season -Mondays] - utilizing daylight saving hours - starting at approx. 6:00pm and finishing by 8:00pm. This programme would provide the opportunity for you to get together with friends to take part in a fixed number of social yet competitively serious matches against other like teams. Interested? We'd love to hear from you. The Businesshouse Series for this season will incorporate the Bowls NZ "Mates in Bowls" concept.

MIB is a Bowls NZ initiative to “brand “a social summer league, similar to Business House Bowls, with the object to have this format played nationally. The target market is still corporate or business houses, with a definite tilt towards the 45 and under age group, male and female – non bowlers.
The sub committee group formed to promote and run MIB will be looking for members to assist on the actual evening, based on a “buddy system”, to look after visiting teams, but, not play in them.
This year’s format will be 2 bowl triples, preferably all non bowlers, with two 30 minute games per evening. We will run a “weekly winner” series based on wins, ends and points, with the winning team to wear the MIB Tee shirts the next night.
Bowls NZ will provide us, with a substantial resource kit to promote MIB including large corflute signs, postcards, business card teasers, fliers, cooler bags plus the Mates In Bowls Website www.matesinbowls.co.nz
Interested???:
    Contact our Club Secretary or the Promotions Committee Convenor [Denis Toon] for further information re: dates, times, and requirements.
    Ph:     (06) 758-9062     or          (06) 758-8019