Bedford Club’s success in connecting with Local Community
On Saturday 21st January 2023 Bedford Bowling Club organised a brilliant Community Family Day as part of the Bowls WA Grant Program.
It panned out over the afternoon between the times of 1:00pm until 4:00pm. With approximately 110 visitors attending the event with 20 Club Volunteers included. An even ratio of Adults and Children participated in the day as the Local Community was brought into the Bowls Community. A great representation that any and all are welcome in the communities we build at the local Bowlo.
A range of refreshments were provided; tea/coffee, biscuits and cake were available for the Adults whilst the Children were provided with fruit, juice drinks, ice creams AND jelly beans on arrival/departure. Of course a classic sausage sizzle was available for all too.
Most families were content to stay in the air-conditioning for the most part as the weather was both a blessing and a curse, maxing out at 39 degrees during the event. This was not an issue for some that ventured out to get a taste of outdoor bowls.
Whilst the day was centred around bowling with lawn bowls and carpet bowls, Visitors were also spoilt with a number of great activities from Pony rides to face painting. These activities were popular as Neil Dwyer, Club President of Bedford Bowling Club, comments on the recreational options:
“The Pony Rides, the Face Painting and the Carpet Bowls were the biggest hit, the latter being a huge hit with the younger visitors as the photos show. This also proved very popular with the visiting parents who could sit inside in the cool and watch their young ones trying something new under our volunteers’ close supervision.”
A successful day at the Bedford Bowling Club as another community is brought together around Bowls. However these events do not come about without the extensive hard work and selflessness of the those involved.
“Our volunteers were outstanding in the planning of the event and on the day itself. Catering was “spot on” and everyone left felling very satisfied with their experience.” – Club President Dwyer on the implementation of the event.
Many families walked away after having an enjoyable day. Numerous Volunteers received messages of thanks from families as they departed. The club looks forward to inviting the people back again to become regular visitors.
Thus the sport of Bowls grows in reaching out to new and possibly future bowlers. Bedford’s Community Bowls program consistently attracts an impressive 120-140 novice bowlers each summer. Therefore as part of a main source of recruitment for their club, like many others, days like this will be very beneficial as its expected to have both short term and long term benefits.
As part of the Bowls WA Grant Program and a terrific effort from Bedford Bowling Club another successful event has come to a close. Events like these are some of the ways that member clubs can positively connect with more people, in more ways.
