Syston Bowling Club – A Member’s View

Have you ever tried lawn bowls? It is a sport open to everyone of every age.
Syston Bowling Club has it’s Open day on 19th April from 10.30am onwards
The following is how member Phil recalled how he got involved.
Phil explained that his wife expressed her concern about him filling his time having recently retired from a busy full-on work life. My younger adult life included a sporting background from a leisure aspect watching and playing several sports at a good level and managing a hockey side. I did not have what I would call hobbies to fill my day so deep down I had similar concerns. 
A former work colleague was encouraging me to have a go at lawn bowls, she having taken up the sport just the year before following divorce and the kids leaving home. Having checked Syston Bowling Club’s website for its fixtures, I plucked up the courage to pop down to Central Park to watch a match. I sat on a bench surrounding The Green enjoying the sun and the game. Some players said hello during their tea break and started talking to me, encouraging me to come down on Tuesday night for some free coaching. 
Tuesday night arrived and nervously I ventured to the Green to be welcomed by several members. I asked for Ken, as instructed, to find a couple of other newbies waiting there like me. Ken arrived and explained that we are welcome to come down on Tuesday night during the summer for ‘Roll-up’ which is used for training and practice to allow newbies to gain experience and see if they wished to join the club in due course, no pressure. There was no charge and having checked that we were wearing suitable footwear (flat shoes such as trainers) he provided the bowls for us to use. Coached how to bowl, we quickly picked up the basics and all three newbies were bowling, getting used to the bias (how the bowls swing) and weight (distance) of delivery. Once the 90 minute session had finished, some of the members asked us to join them in the club house for a drink and a chat explaining about the club including the social side. They made the point that everyone, whatever your standard, is encouraged to play matches, friendlies and league in due course, and join in with the varied social activities. Syston Bowling Club has the reputation of being a friendly club which I quickly found to be very true. 
Within a few visits to the club I was on first name terms with the membership, playing with and against experienced club members who encouraged and gave me tips. I formally joined the club (half price membership for the first year) after a few weeks and I was playing matches regularly, the best way to learn the game. Whilst you are playing and competing very quickly, I found it takes time to learn the skills and consistency but my teammates only encouraged me and provided tips to help you along. Everyone is trying their best whatever the end result. The three newbies used each other to gauge our progress which varied reflecting our time commitment to practice. 
As the summer season came to an end I found I was playing indoor bowls at Melton and involved in the clubs varied social events such as a Race Night and the regular Wednesday Quiz Afternoon. Your involvement in the club activities can vary greatly. Like most things in life, the more you put in the more you get out whether that is helping with the gardening around The Green or organising the social events, but I have certainly made a lot of new supportive friends and happily filled much of my days.
Phil.
If you would like more information about Syston Bowling Club please contact Val Foreman on 0116 260 9635.