Roll Back The Clock brings new bowlers to South Townsville
For positive opportunities the Roll Back The Clock program can create, you need look no further than South Townsville Bowls Club.
South Townsville has been a regular in hosting Roll Back The Clock sessions since the program’s launch, enjoying great success in doing so.
“It (South Townsville) was one of the pilot programs when things got started,” trainer Wendy Collins said.
“I think a sign of its success has been participants who complete a program and come back to do it again. We have even had two ladies go from start to finish four times.”
Roll Back The Clock is a Bowls Australia program that aims to boost physical activity rates among Australians aged 65 and over through bowls, light exercise and education.
Programs were paused across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but plans are in place for many clubs to begin sessions again from mid-to-late-August.
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Wendy, who runs a personal training business and is also a primary school teacher, said there are a vast range of benefits she has witnessed first hand with Roll Back The Clock.
“I think the social aspect is the part that’s wining hands down,” she said.
“It’s also not just the physical, but the mental side of it fitness too. There are discussion points on a weekly basis held in a fairly informal manner which really drives conversation.
“The things we discuss are things most people already know, but it brings it to the forefront as something they should know is really important.”
Wendy said most participants at South Townsville were non-bowlers, with the club playing a key role in being welcoming.
“Generally people are there for about two-and-a-half hours even though the sessions are only one hour long. They thoroughly enjoy it,” she said.
“We only had one person who had played bowls before, so when it came to getting out on the green to play, the members helped them out and made sure no one felt silly.”
Wendy said because of the club’s warmth to the Roll Back The Clock participants, they had some come back to play bowls.
“There are now a few who are social bowlers. Roll Back The Clock gave them the confidence to do that,” she said.
“Some of them even got together to create a Jack Attack team.”
Barry Lehmann helped organise the Roll Back The Clock programs at South Townsville. He said it has been “fantastic” for his club.
“There is now a core group of people who come back regularly who never would have played before,” he said.
“They seem to love it, and it’s great for us to have some new people around the club.
“Unfortunately we had to postpone our Jack Attack competition because of the pandemic, but it shows how each program could integrate to the other.
“Wendy has been a great trainer, and the program has become part of another social network which is important for people. We are definitely keen to get involved again.”
To learn more about Roll Back The Clock, visit bowls.com.au/get-involved/rollbacktheclock or email rollbacktheclock@bowls.com.au. Upcoming program locations are listed on the website.
