The bowls club blazing an inclusivity trail ahead of 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games

Think bowls may be a bit too staid and steady for you? Well think again.

If you have never tried the game before – the message from the Swan Bowls Club is simple – give it a go.

Based at the Riverside Indoor Club in Winchester, June’s Parasport Club of the Month winners have a sole mission to make the sport they love accessible to everyone.

Every Tuesday members get together and hit the carpet playing as pairs or individuals.

Bowls is truly an inclusive sport, where disabled bowlers can compete against non-disabled bowlers at any level and the Swan Club is the living proof.

Organising Secretary Carol Asher is instrumental to the group, helping to organise, motivate and support all members.

“The club has been going for about 25 years now,” she explained. “When the Riverside was first built through lottery funding, part of that came on the basis we provide facilities for people with a disability to be able to play bowls.

“The club was set up and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

“Our volunteers in particular are probably what make this club so special. They just assist our players wherever they can.

“Whatever a player needs in order to be able to play they will provide it, whether that be help with mobility or the equipment required to play.

“But they also bring a fabulous sense of community here. It’s a great group of people and we always have such a lot of fun together.

“Sometimes if people, either with or without a disability, haven’t done any sport in a long time can find it difficult to try something new.

“But this group is so supportive and welcoming.”

The Swan Club operates on a Tuesday, but bowlers can then join the wider Riverside as full members and play all week, with competitive matches involving