Bowls class gets the ball rolling

A casual conversation with a client led a disability support worker to begin a special project that has rapidly increased in popularity.

Peta Harris, who works for Activ, contacted Wonthella Bowling Club after one of her clients expressed an interest in playing lawn bowls.

The club put her in touch with one of its members, lawn bowls coach Gary Cairn, and so began a partnership that is bringing happiness to a growing number of people.

“I started last year with a boys’ group,” Ms Harris said.

“I sent them to Gary to learn and they really enjoyed it, so after Christmas I got my girls’ group going.

“I started talking to other support groups and now there are more coming. Some come each week and some do it every second week.”

Ms Harris said she was grateful for Mr Cairn, who volunteered his services, and the club, which had been generous in allowing inexperienced players to use their facilities at minimal cost.

“People don’t realise but we are trying to include special needs people in the community, so we need to find people like Gary who are willing to teach their skills,” she said.

Mr Cairn, who took up the sport four years ago, said lawn bowls was a great activity for people with special needs and, while he had to be flexible and adapt techniques and instructions to the individual, he found it rewarding.

“We all get a lot of enjoyment and laughs,” the retired building company estimator said.

“It’s a great idea and Peta does a good job getting everyone involved. It has grown from five people at the start — now we have 13 or 14 coming along.”

Melissa Kelly, who also plays netball, said she enjoyed her first lawn bowls lesson.

“Gary is good. He explains really well,” she said.

Lauren Perrin said she had played lawn bowls with her aunt and would like to continue playing.

“I’d love to come back to it,” she said.

“Gary is a good coach. He’s really good to us, very caring.”

Groups or individuals willing to teach skills or crafts to people with special needs can contact Ms Harris on 0438 696 264.