Leeton embraces Roll Back the Clock
Bowls Australia’s Roll Back the Clock program continued to prove its versatility and inclusivity in 2022, spreading far and wide across Australia.
From major cities to smaller towns in regional areas, the program has once again proven a hit with older communities, with Leeton a prime example of its success.
The program expanded to Leeton (south-west NSW) this year for the first time, with the Leeton Soldiers Club playing host.
Leeton Physiotherapy Centre’s Hayley Reynolds acted as Roll Back the Clock instructor. She said initially things started off slowly, but gathered momentum as the year progressed.
“We had a but of trouble with take off. Coming out of COVID earlier in the year meant people were still a little hesitant to get out and about,” she said.
“But once we got going things moved on really well.”
Roll Back the Clock is a program aims to boost physical activity rates among Australians aged 65 and over through bowls, light exercise and education.
Reynolds said a comparable exercise class in town had finished, leaving a clear desire for something like Roll Back the Clock.
“It tied in well, a lot of our participants perviously went to an exercise class in town no longer running. I thought it was great, a lot of those ladies and gentlemen didn’t have a regular class,” she said.
“In April and May we ran twice a week for four weeks, and we had so much success we ran straight into another term, with programs once a week.”
Roll Back the Clock was so successful in Leeton in 2022, more than four programs were hosted throughout the year.
Reynolds said being in a regional town meant opportunities like Roll Back the Clock are much appreciated.
“We have limited resources with what is available in the health space around here,” she said.
“It was a good opportunity for people to come along and try something new.
“Each term we grew. People would come along and then tell their friends and bring more people.”
Reynolds said she saw plenty of positives come from the program, both for herself and the participants.
“It’s so much fun , not only seeing the improvements but how much they enjoy getting out and about,” she said.
“For me it’s good to get out of the office, it’s my favourite time of the week.”
Reynolds said the program proved as an important initiative for people to get back out and about after lockdowns and COVID uncertainty.
“It was hard to make that step for a few people. It’s nice that there is a good group now that has a good social connection,” she said.
Clubs interested in getting involved in Roll Back the Clock in 2023 can find more details here.
