McLaren Vale participants can’t get enough of Roll Back the Clock
Bowls Australia’s Roll Back the Clock program continues to draw praise from participants across the country, with one regional club’s program drawing people back time and time again.
McLaren Vale Bowling Club – south of Adelaide – has enjoyed success with its first Roll Back the Clock program, and is showing no signs of stopping any time soon.
In fact, when the program finished up earlier this year, participants enjoyed the it so much they were prepared to organise more sessions themselves.
“All of us who took part absolutely loved it. When it finished we didn’t know if it would be coming back, so we were looking at how we could keep it going. Thankfully the club has gone on to run more which has been great,” McLaren Vale Roll Back the Clock participant Jenny Patterson said.
“I enjoy its lowkey nature. It is social and good fun.
“I have a bad back to can’t do too much, but the instructor Hayden is very good so he makes sure everyone has exercises they can keep up with.”
Roll Back the Clock aims to boost physical activity rates among Australians aged 65 and over through bowls, light exercise and education.
McLaren Vale secretary Peter Guerin helped bring Roll Back the Clock to his club.
He said it seemed like a “great idea” to get involved.
“The majority of people at our club are in the senior age group which is who the program is designed for,” he said.
“We advertised amongst members, took flyers to aged care facilities around McLaren Vale and also spoke to community members by word of mouth.
“We ended up getting 13 ladies – about half of whom aren’t members – who take part twice a week and absolutely love it.”
Mr Guerin said the program is beneficial for not just the club, but the health of the participants as well as the general community.
“Being a country town we consider the bowls club a great comm facility where people can come together for all sorts of purposes. Roll Back the Clock is great not only by helping get people active, but also by teaching about lifestyle and things like that,” he said.
“We’d love to get more participants and are always trying to increase participation.
“I think it’s a fantastic initiative and would hope more clubs would get involved.”
To learn more about Roll Back the Clock, click here or email rollbacktheclock@bowls.com.au.
