Barefoot Bowls is a new and fun way to play bowls – fewer rules, more fun and a great party atmosphere, and it’s coming to the UK
Barefoot Bowls UK Official Launch
Barefoot Bowls makes its debut in Finsbury Square, in the heart of London on the 28th May 2015. With craft ales, street foods and some great sounds form some of the UK’s best DJs, and even an after party in the one and only Blueberry Bar, Shoreditch for those who need even more excitement. With at least 150 people participating, expect a party atmosphere.
Tony Allcock MBE, Bowls England Chief Executive, said: “There is great need for the sport of bowls to open its doors to new audiences, particularly in London and other major cities where more traditional forms of the sport may not meet the needs of those who live and work there. We have been working closely with the Barefoot Bowls team over the last few months and look forward to both the pilot events and, in the long-term, considering how those who do attend may be better integrated into our sport.”
If you’d like to join the fun in London on the 28th, you can sign up at Barefoot Bowls.
Barefoot Bowls Format
Barefoot Bowls will use the following format:
No. of Players – 4 per team
Game Length – 30-60 mins
Object of the game – Get your bowls as close to the Jack as possible
There may well be clubs out there who are saying ‘Not on our greens’, but the truth is bowls needs new blood, and more importantly bowls clubs need new money in order to stay open.
History of Barefoot Bowls
Back in the early 2000’s bowls in Australia was not attracting new players, and things were not looking good for bowls clubs across the country. Then, one or two brave clubs decided to invite non-members to play on Sundays. At the same time a comedy film called Crackerjack was released -about a young man who joins a bowls club to benefit from the free parking and then finds himself obliged to play bowls. This quirky, ironic approach to bowls attracted young people, and started changing the image of the sport.
Barefoot Bowls in Australia is now played at over 2000 clubs in Australia. There is no dress codes, no regulations, and shoes are optional. The participants are all young, they laugh listen to music and drink while they’re playing. Think 10-pin bowling comes to a bowls club.
One club in Australia was facing closure until they introduced Barefoot Bowls, and now has about 200 bare footers every weekend.
A lot of these players prefer not to become members, and pay by the hour to play instead. They also spend a lot more at the bar than the older generation.
One club that caters almost exclusively to the 20-40 age group has “bowls without the olds” as its motto.
Bowls with music blaring, barbeques, and players in shorts and t-shirts is something that some clubs might have difficulty imagining. What is not difficult to imagine is the money being generated to keep these clubs going, and the huge numbers of people suddenly enjoying bowls.
If your club is interested in finding out more hosting Barefoot Bowls, e-mail: alistair@bowlsengland.com
