Seven bowls clubs have been awarded funding to buy new kit and offer extra sessions thanks to recent funding from Coventry City Council’s Bowls Small Grants Programme.
Delivered in partnership with the Bowls Development Alliance, around £15,000 was awarded to the clubs to support with ongoing costs.
Organisations that were awarded funding are:
Foleshill Gas Bowls Club
Sphinx Bowls Club
Walsgrave Community Bowls Club
Walsgrave Crown Green Bowling Club
Avenue Bowling Club Coventry
Matrix Bowls Club
Stoke Bowling Club
The grants have been spent on things such as bowls starter kits, short mats, bowls sets, jacks and delivery mats.
Accessibility kit such as bowler walking aids and accessibility ramps have also been funded through the grants, allowing sessions to be open to more people.
Separately, the Council has also supported wider bowls development across the city, including the introduction of a new schools’ programme at Centre AT7 to get more young people involved in the sport.
Over 250 children from 20 schools are taking part in the programme which is being delivered in partnership with the Bowls Development Alliance and School Games.
Councillor Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, said: “We’re delighted to support bowls clubs across the city with this funding, helping them to grow and become more inclusive.
“By investing in accessible equipment, clubs are able to open their doors to more people, regardless of age or ability.
“This funding and the schools programme are key to supporting our young residents across the city to get involved, building the next generation of bowlers and keeping the sport thriving.”
Lisa Graham, Managing Director at The Bowls Development Alliance, added: “We are proud to be working in partnership with Coventry City Council to strengthen communities and grow participation in bowls across the city.
“Through targeted grant funding, we’re helping clubs attract new and more diverse audiences, while creating more social bowls opportunities in local venues to make the sport accessible to more people.
“We’re supporting clubs to grow and connect more effectively with their communities by improving accessibility, enhancing facilities and providing more inclusive equipment, as well as linking them with national initiatives.
“Alongside this, our work with the Youth Sport Trust through the School Games Programme is giving young people across Coventry City’s primary schools network the chance to try bowls for the first time.”
All bowls clubs in Coventry can be found on the Bowls Development Alliance website.