On Sunday 25 September 2016, an enthusiastic group of coaches attended an Inclusive Bowls Coaching Workshop at the Ambassador Indoor Bowling Centre in Prestwick.
The purpose of the workshop was to allow participants to gain a greater understanding of inclusion for bowlers with a physical, sensory or learning disability, as well as giving them an insight into the classification process within bowls and knowledge of adaptation of the young persons’ bowls pack.
The tutors for the day were amongst the best in Scotland – Bob Dick and Ron McArthur, National Coaches for the Scottish Disability Bowls Squad; Richard Brickley MBE, one of only three International Bowls for the Disabled classifiers within the UK; and Val Wright, tutor for Bowls Scotland.
Each delegate attended four workshops which focussed on specific dimensions of bowls for bowlers with a disability. The day was concluded with a stimulating question and answer panel session with four of Scotland’s leading bowlers, John Wardrope, Robert Barr, Mary Wilson and John Hughes, a member of the Scottish team who played in the IBD World Championships in New Zealand 2015.
The day was a resounding success, with all the coaches taking a great deal of learning from the experience. An exciting development is that a session for bowlers with a disability is planned in the near future in the West of Scotland. Our thanks must be extended to the tutors, bowlers for sharing their experience, and the Ambassador Indoor Bowling Centre for making us so very welcome.
For further details, or if you would like to become involved in disability bowls, please contact Ron McArthur, SDS Inclusive Bowls Performance Development Manager, on ron.mcarthur@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07788 878 470.