Disability Bowls
Bowls is one of the most inclusive sports where disabled bowlers can compete with, or against, non-disabled bowlers in most situations.
Disabled people can bowl competitively at local, national and international level or just play the game as a social pastime, by taking part in club roll-ups and casual bowling activities – there is an opportunity for all abilities and needs!
The BDA, along with Bowls England, English Indoor Bowling Association, Disability Bowls England, Coach Bowls and Activity Alliance form the Disability Action Group (DAG) – a body that oversees the progress and development of disability bowls in the country.
The Disability Action group oversees the successful implementation of the Disability Bowls Action Plan in order to achieve its vision to promote inclusion, increase participation and develop performance within disability bowls.
If you are a disabled bowler interested in competing locally, regionally or nationally, you can join Disability Bowls England (DBE) and take part in their competitions. It is free to become a DBE member and you don’t have to be affiliated to any clubs. To find out more, you can contact Disability Bowls England at [email protected].
If you are a disabled person interested in taking up the sport, you can contact either Bowls England (for flat green outdoor bowls) or English Indoor Bowling Association (for flat green indoor bowls) who will be able to direct you to the right club near you.
Love Fisher Brown Award
The Love Fisher Brown Award, sponsored by Para Handy and Drakes Pride, was created in 2019 to recognise clubs that provide disabled participation opportunities for their bowlers. This award, named after the remarkable and inspiring Commonwealth Games achievements of Bob Love, David Fisher and Paul Brown, showcases the excellent work being undertaken by clubs with disabled bowlers around the country, and provide a benchmark for other clubs to aspire to.
All clubs affiliated to either Bowls England or English Indoor Bowling Association that offer opportunities for disabled bowlers are encouraged to nominate. We welcome applications from all clubs working with disabled people, including: running regular sessions for disabled bowlers; positively affecting a disabled person or group’s physical, social and/or mental well-being through bowls; or successfully integrating a number of disabled people into the club. Nominations can be submitted by anyone within the club (e.g. club member, volunteer, coach or committee member), or outside the club (e.g. disabled participant, carer, friend or relative).
Nominate your club today!
Clubs can be nominated by completing the Love Fisher Brown nomination form below. Nominators can either email the completed form to [email protected], or complete the paper form and post it to:
Bowls Development Alliance,
Pera Business Park,
Nottingham Rd,
Melton Mowbray
LE13 0PB
Entries for the 2020 award were put on hold because of Covid-19. More information about the 2021 award will be coming soon.