Newark Town Bowling Club offers new pathway to get fresh blood into the game of bowls as they appoint a England playing coach

A sports club is welcoming new members into the fold with the offer of some free coaching.

Newark Town Bowls and Social Club have provided an opportunity for existing and new members to improve their bowling skills with expert coaching being offered.

The club have introduced a new internal Aussie Pairs League and 12 teams within the club have entered.

Beginner bowlers will benefit from the league experience while the matches will also give regular bowlers more opportunities to enjoy the game.

Announcing the league, newly elected Club captain, Kevin Storr emphasised that whilst members of the teams were randomly drawn, the make up is a mixture of experienced bowlers and newcomers to the sport.

In addition to ensuring that every team will have a chance to compete favourably, newcomers will benefit by playing alongside experienced bowlers.

In another move, designed to upskill bowlers of all levels, Kevin has called on the services of John Hope to oversee the coaching programme.

In addition to being a qualified lawn green bowls coach, John is also a leader and qualified coach in the Paralympic equivalent of Boccia.

He helped to coach the England team prior to the Paralympics held in Rio.

Having played County Bowls for Lincolnshire, whilst playing at Grantham, Hope returned to Newark last year during which time he made his England debut.

Hope has now represented Bowls England on three occasions.

He has won several awards including the Newark and Sherwood sports volunteer award; Notts County sports award for volunteering and the Boccia England National award in the same category.

Hope said he welcomed the opportunity to help the club by taking on this role.

A member of the National Bowls Development Alliance committee, responsible for increasing the attraction of the game to all members of society, John Hope is passionate about sport in general and bowls in particular.

The coaching initiative commences indoors, at the club on the evening of Wednesday, March 20 at 6.30 PM and will then move outside towards the end of April.

Potential members are invited to come along to the first three Wednesdays, free, to see if they would be interested in joining.

Chairman Richard Towning emphasise that this initiative is part of the continued development of one of the oldest clubs in the country.

‘We have a full programme of entertainment events as we are aware of the importance of this side of our operation and our committee continue to work very hard to keep things going,” said Towning.

“Social nights include a variety of entertainment including singers, casino evening, race night and many others so that members can enjoy themselves both on and off the green.”