Become a Bowls Host with Bowls Australia. Run fun, safe, barefoot bowls sessions for social groups, corporate events and community gatherings. Enrol and complete the course online in under 90 minutes.
Bowls is one of the best sports to share with people who’ve never played – whether it’s a corporate group, a school visit, or a Saturday afternoon with friends. The Bowls Host course makes sure you’re ready to confidently welcome groups, run a safe session, and leave people happy and wanting to return for another game.
No experience required. The course can be completed in approximately 60–90 minutes and you’ll be equipped with resources to get started right away.
What you’ll be able to do
- Welcome and brief groups with confidence – whether it’s a corporate booking, a school visit, or a casual afternoon of barefoot bowls.
- Explain and demonstrate the basics of bowls clearly to first-timers and inexperienced participants.
- Manage safety, set up and keep games flowing, and handle large groups.
Close sessions in a way that brings people back to your club for another game.
Who’s it for?
Club volunteers, venue staff, and anyone running casual or barefoot bowls sessions. You don’t need to be a coach to get started.
What’s included?
Four online modules covering your role, session preparation, safety and group management, and how to deliver and close a session effectively.
You’ll also receive the Bowls Host Guide – a practical resource with checklists, activity ideas, and session templates you can use straight away.
What’s the end result?
You’ll become an accredited Bowls Host, recognised by Bowls Australia. More importantly, you’ll have the knowledge and resources to run safe and fun sessions that encourage participants to return.
FAQ
Who is the Host accreditation designed for?
Club volunteers, venue staff, and anyone running casual or barefoot bowls sessions. You don’t need to be a coach to get started.
What content does it cover?
The Bowls Host course includes four modules covering:
Delivering a casual bowls session, running simple but fun games, and, closing out the session.
Introduction to bowls, the role of the host and creating positive experiences.
Aim of the game, getting to know the “lingo”, how to welcome and prepare for a session.
Safety consideration and managing large groups effectively.
What’s involved?
The Bowls Host accreditation is a fully online course that can be completed at your own pace.
The course will take approximately 60-90 minutes to complete.
Simply pay and enrol via BowlsLearn.
Once you have completed the online training and met the pre-requisites, your accreditation will be live on BowlsLink and via the BowlsLink app.
Are there any pre-requisites?
Yes, to be eligible for the Host accreditation, prospective hosts must:
Hold a valid Working with Children Check (or equivalent) from the state or territory in which you reside.
Be at least 18 years of age or be eligible to work in a licensed venue serving alcohol. Refer to your individual state or territory legislation.
What is the cost?
The cost of the Bowls Host accreditation is $100. Simply purchase the course and enrol via BowlsLearn.
Do I need to be a member of a bowls club to enrol?
No, you don’t need to be a member of a club to enrol. You will require a BowlsLink account to get started.
Is there an assessment or do I just complete the modules?
Each module has checkpoints built in. There are also some simple knowledge checks at the end of each module to check your understanding.
Can I do this course on my phone or tablet?
Yes, the content is designed to be mobile and tablet friendly. For the best experience, we would recommend using a laptop, computer or a device with a larger screen (e.g. tablet).
What’s the difference between a Bowls Host and a Community Coach?
A Bowls Host is equipped to deliver simple, fun and safe barefoot or casual bowling sessions with participants who may be new to the sport of bowls. A Community Coach works predominately with players who are looking to improve their game and play competitively within a club or community setting.
What’s the difference between a Bowls Host Accreditation and the former Introductory Coach Accreditation?
The Bowls Host accreditation prepares Hosts to deliver simple, fun and safe barefoot or casual bowls experiences for participants who may be new to the sport. The course is interactive and includes practical video demonstrations to support learning.
The Introductory Coach accreditation focused on the fundamentals of technique and how to run a training session, delivered through text-based modules.
If you would like to work with and develop players – from beginners through to experienced bowlers – the Community Coach Accreditation is the appropriate next step.