Caulfield Bowls Club
“All my friends, so many women have started at the same time that it’s just made it such a nice place to be, so inclusive for everyone to be here, and we’re all kind of a similar standard and that’s what’s made it so fantastic”
“When you've got such enthusiastic and happy people, it makes it easy for the coaches. We want to be part of what’s happening on the green and anything we can do to help them reach the goals they’ve set for themselves”... comments Debbie Davis, a member of Caulfield Bowls Club.
Caulfield Park Sports Club in Melbourne is building a positive and diverse community including a growing number of women and families. The club has expanded opportunities for more people to get involved in social and competitive lawn bowls through a range of fun and innovative activities.
Creating community for women in sport
Debbie adds: “I think it’s going to become an even bigger social connection to the community. And I think the people who run the club are excited that we’ve all come on board, because we’re going to help this club to grow and the social aspect of it is just going to get better and better”. Established in 1923, Caulfield Park Sports Club in Melbourne boasts a long history. But its ‘old school charm’ doesn’t mean the club is entrenched in the past. By hosting a range of innovative and fun activities, the club is building a positive and diverse community including a growing number of women and families.
One of the main drawcards is the club’s social and competitive lawn bowls. In recent years the club has expanded opportunities for more people to get involved. This includes free Try Bowls nights, community fun days raising money for local charities, barefoot (or casual shoes) bowling, and a women’s only ‘Jack Attack’ program.
“Jack Attack is a social, short, sharp, snappy game of bowls,” says Club Bowl Director Neil Stacey. “I wanted to get some more social things happening at the club and it’s turned into a regular social event.”
Sandra Yellen and Debbie Davis are enthusiastic new bowls participants at the club.
“I really enjoy being there – everybody is so nice. Everybody’s happy to see you and they all want to help you improve, the encouragement is amazing,” says Sandra.
Debbie adds, “All my friends, so many women have started at the same time that it’s just made it such a nice place to be, so inclusive for everyone to be here, and we're all kind of a similar standard and that’s what’s made it so fantastic”.
Something else that sets the club apart are the bowls coaches, always ready to offer advice and support to new players, helping them improve their technique and confidence.
“You come in and the coaches just immediately come to you. You don’t have to ask someone to help or stand around and wait – the coaches are just there to help you,” says Debbie.
“And there’s never negative feedback. It’s always given in a positive way,” adds Sandra.
Coach Paul Lambert enjoys the opportunity to help newcomers, “When you've got such enthusiastic and happy people, it makes it easy for the coaches. We want to be part of what’s happening on the green and anything we can do to help them reach the goals they’ve set for themselves”.
Paul modifies his approach to match the abilities of person he’s coaching and always finds something “that they can achieve success with”.
Along with recent retirees like Sandra and Debbie, the club is attracting a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds, including young people, families and single parents. The warm welcome and sense of community keeps everyone coming back.
“I feel more energy, I feel calmer, I feel happy – like this is an outlet to come and just relax and enjoy and have fun,” says Sandra.