In 2021, Club Redcliffs members were inspired to establish a coaching program with local primary schools after learning about the growing popularity of lawn bowls among children in Australia. Motivated to create a similar opportunity for local youth, the Club Captain and members teamed up with the Youth Coordinator at Bowls Canterbury to explore how the sport could be introduced in Redcliffs, Mt Pleasant, and Sumner schools.
What began as an idea quickly turned into action. Through outreach and collaboration, a school coaching initiative was launched, leading to an annual highlight: the Rapanui School Tournament.
Building Participation Through Partnership
To encourage school involvement, Club Redcliffs secured a local sponsor who provided a monetary prize distributed to schools based on the number of teams they entered in the Rapanui Tournament. Additional support came from Bowls New Zealand, who contributed spot prizes of caps and water bottles for student bowlers.
With the help of dedicated club members, students in Years 5–8 receive coaching in key lawn bowls skills—delivery, line, and length—combined with fun, engaging games. Redcliffs School students travel to the club for two 45-minute sessions per class across a two-week period each September. Meanwhile, Mt Pleasant School receives coaching at their school grounds on artificial turf.
All coaching equipment is supplied by Club Redcliffs and Bowls Canterbury, ensuring accessibility for all students.
Students keen to participate put their names forward in pairs and go into the draw for the Rapanui Tournament which is held later in September. Tournament day is a true community affair, with 12 club members supporting the young athletes on the greens, and additional volunteers managing the BBQ lunch and prizegiving.
More Than Just a Game
The success of this initiative has been deeply rewarding for Club Redcliffs. It has offered an opportunity to share the joy and camaraderie of lawn bowls with the next generation. The energy and enthusiasm shown by the students are a testament to the commitment of the club’s volunteers and the value of strong partnerships with schools and local organisations.
This program has proven that, with the goodwill of passionate bowlers and the coordination support of Bowls Canterbury, lawn bowls can be a powerful way to build community, bridge generations, and grow the game for the future.
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