Disability Bowls - BowlsWales

Bowls is a game that can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age, gender, or physical ability. Playing bowls is a great way to help you stay fit and healthy, make new friends in your community and, most importantly, have fun!

There are plenty of opportunities to learn bowls if you are a beginner or get back into bowls if you have played before.
Some sessions are specific, such as Bowls 4 all for Stroke Survivors. BowlsWales also supports clubs to offer inclusive coaching sessions, we encourage everyone to learn together in an inclusive environment.

Stroke Survivors Session

'Bowls provides me with both physical and
mental benefits and has improved my overall
wellbeing. I have met some great friends and
look forward to seeing them every week at
the bowls session'. Participant
Stroke Survivors Bowls session.

Virtual Bowls Sessions

Alan attended our Virtual Bowls Sessions in Partnership with The Stroke Association and has now regained his confidence to return to Bowls. Alan's story yesterday featured on BBC Online - 'Eager to get on the green' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56873223 Scroll to the bottom.

Bowls Organisations

In Wales their is a number of organisations that offer bowls for a variety of disabilities in additional to club's offering inclusive sessions. These organisation are well established and understand the needs of the various disabilities that may affect some individuals who wish to enter the game.

Welsh VI Bowls 
The sport has been cleverly adapted so that VI players are able to enjoy both social and competitive bowls at all levels of the game.
The simple adaptations enable the VI athletes to compete in all general bowls competitions across Wales, as well as in Championships against individuals with similar impairments.
At the highest-level VI bowlers can compete at the Commonwealth Games. 2018 saw Julie Thomas and Gilbert Miles achieve the B2/B3 Mixed Pairs bronze medal in a match that saw them steal the hearts of the Nation.
If you would like to play, and need some advice please visit the Welsh VI Bowls website, by following the link, and you will be provided with all the information you will need to start.

How is VI Bowls played?
The rules for VI bowling are the same as Lawn Bowls. However, in VI Bowls the player is assisted by a director.
The link between these two roles is so important; they play as a team with the director on the green providing support, information and advice to the athlete throughout the match.
A clock system is used to help the player achieve a mental picture of play. This, along with a fine white centre string which runs under the mat and fixed at both ends of the rink, helps the bowler judge the angle for the amount of green required.

To find out more about VI Bowls please click Welsh Visually Impaired Bowls.