THE joy of bowls has been displayed by people of all abilities on the greens for the 2024 All Abilities Bowls Carnival, hosted by Swan Hill Racecourse Bowls Club.
Students from Swan Hill Specialist School and participants from We Are Vivid, Echuca Discoveries and The SHOP were all involved
Mallee Sports Assembly project officer Lachlan Giles said it had been “a great day for everyone”.
“The day is facilitated by Mallee Sports Assembly with the support from Bowls Victoria and the staff and some students from Swan Hill College,” Giles said.
“Lawn bowls is a great way for everyone to get their bodies moving and be active, and it’s a very inclusive opportunity for people to get outside and enjoy the competition and the comradery that sport offers.
“For a low-mobility sport, it’s also very skilled.
“It’s a very rewarding feeling when you get one close.
“It’s all about precision, and it’s something where everyone can come and compete on a level playing field.”
Giles said the students from Swan Hill College had been a big help in the day running smoothly.
“The schools have been fantastic,” he said.
“There’s almost one-to-one support for the participants here.
“It makes it a much more accessible day for us all with that support.”
Giles said giving everyone the chance to get active, socialise and have fun was one of the best parts of the day.
“There’s a lot of big smiles here,” he said.
“I’ve seen a fair few big grins when they’ve hit the target.
“It’s a very rewarding day.”
Swan Hill Specialist School physical education teacher Virgina Allen said she and the school always looked forward to the carnival.
“The thing I really love about the organisation is that they get local secondary school students involved,” Allen said.
“I think it’s really good for the community to have that involvement and for those students to assist in the running of the carnivals.
“Not only is a great skillset for them to learn but it also does a lot to break down any barriers.”
