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A short History of the Game
The game of Bowls has been played in England for centuries.
Elizabethan hero Sir Francis Drake famously completed his game on Plymouth Hoe before sailing to tackle the Spanish Armada in 1588.
Short Mat Bowls is an indoor sport that emerged in the early 20th century and was developed in Northern Ireland during the 1940s, as a way for outdoor bowlers to continue playing during the winter months.
Once introduced into England, in the 1980's its potential as an accessible and low-cost sport was recognized.
The English Short Mat Bowling Association (ESMBA), the governing body in England, was formed in 1984.
The Object of the Game
The Game of Bowls, whether outdoors or indoors, is essentially very simple.
Players try to roll their Bowls (or "Woods" as they are also known) closer to a smaller ball (Known as the "Jack") than their opponent. For every Bowl closer to the Jack than their opponent they score 1 point.
The Bowls are "Biased" which means that their asymmetrical shape causes them to follow a curved path when rolled. The skill in the game is to choose the right direction (or "Line") and to apply the correct speed (or "weight") to arrive at the intended spot.
This basic simplicity means the game is easy to learn and it has been adapted to suit a wide range of disabilities. Obviously to develop the skills needed to play competitively takes years of practice but you can be enjoying a social game of Short Mat Bowls after only a few sessions.
Why Play Short Mat Bowls?
Health and Fitness
Gentle Physical Exercise: Short Mat Bowls provides a low-impact workout that improves the strength of muscles in your arms, shoulders and legs. Each 2 hour session involves a surprising amount of walking and bending.
Improved Mobility and Coordination: The movements involved in delivering the Bowl help maintain and improve balance, functional mobility, and hand-eye coordination. It is particularly beneficial to older adults.
Accessible to all ages and abilities: The sport can be enjoyed by people of all ages including young people and individuals with disabilities.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
It's mentally stimulating: The game is a test of skill and strategy, with players needing to negotiate the centre block and consider the bias of the bowls to position them correctly. This tactical element keeps the mind sharp and engaged.
Social Interaction: Due to the fact that Short Mat Bowls is a highly social activity, it helps combat loneliness and provides a reason to get out and meet new people.
Stress reduction: Engaging in a fun, recreational sport which does not require stregth, speed or stamina to participate, provides psychological benefits, offering focus and structure to your life.
Fun and Friendship!
Short Mat Bowls is a highly social activity: Every match or roll up includes time for Tea, Coffee , Biscuits and sometimes even cake! This provides a chance to meet new people in a relaxed social setting, and hopefully to build new and lasting Friendships.
Social Events: We organise social events through the year which provide an opportunity to get together in a non Bowls setting.
Year round play: As an indoor sport, short mat bowls is unaffected by the weather, allowing for consistent play all year round. This is especially beneficial during the winter months when outdoor play is generally unavailable.
Easy to learn: The basic game is simple to understand and the initial learning curve is short. You can be enjoying a social game of short mat bowls after only a few sessions.
It's not expensive: You don't need expensive equipment to get started. All you really need is a pair of flat soled shoes. Club subscriptions are kept low and green fees are just £3.00 per session. As you progress pre-owned sets of bowls are widely available at a fraction of the cost of a new set.
Think you might like to give it a go?
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