West Lindsey Leisure Centre recently held a Wellbeing and Sporting Event, and Riverside Indoor Bowls was pleased to take part. The event provided an opportunity to highlight the many benefits of both indoor and outdoor bowls, with many members enjoying playing in both formats. In West Lindsey there are numerous leagues available for players to join throughout the year.
Bowls offers challenge and competition, personal enjoyment, physical activity, and the pleasure of spending time with like-minded people. The sport has many benefits, being a low-impact and therapeutic form of exercise that helps improve muscle strength and overall fitness. Health professionals particularly recommend playing bowls for older people.
During a typical game, players may walk up to six-tenths of a mile, perform lunges and squats, and remain standing for around two hours. As a precision sport, bowls also requires problem-solving skills and helps develop hand-eye coordination across all age groups, including those who are visually impaired, use wheelchairs, or live with other physical challenges.
Nationally, the sport is increasingly popular with younger generations, proving that it is far from being ‘an old man’s game’. In addition to its physical benefits, bowls enhances mental alertness, builds confidence, encourages self-discipline, and promotes mental wellbeing and community connection. Being part of a team provides a sense of belonging, boosts self-esteem, and allows people to meet others from all walks of life.
The club was delighted to meet supportive members and new residents at the recent Wellbeing and Sporting Event, with many expressing interest in learning to play indoor bowls. The level of enthusiasm throughout the day was encouraging and demonstrated growing community support for the sport.
With Gainsborough continuing to expand through new housing developments, an indoor bowls hall would be a valuable addition to the area and a key attraction for newcomers. It would represent a great asset for a progressive and forward-looking town. Riverside Indoor Bowls continues to work with West Lindsey District councillors and council officers to promote the need for the return of indoor bowls facilities within West Lindsey.
Anyone interested in joining Riverside Indoor Bowls or learning more about the sport can email join@ribs.org.net or visit the Facebook page Riverside Indoor Bowls Gainsborough.