Lawn bowls 101: Don't drop bowl on foot

LEARNING CURVES: Kaitaia Primary School students in action at the Church Road club in Kaitaia earlier this month. PICTURE/SUPPLIED

Several Kaitaia Primary School students have proven quick learners in the art of lawn bowls after taking up the invitation to head over the road to their neighbouring club on Church Road and enjoy a roll up on Thursday afternoons.

Kaitaia Church Road Bowling Club spokesperson Faye Irwin Erceg said the event served a dual purpose of developing the game among the younger set while proving character building for those taking part.

"Any form of sport helps young people's bodies and minds grow and mature.

"Everyone will taste success in one form or other and this helps build self-confidence, coordination and knowledge of etiquette while the social aspects of caring and sharing enjoyment, application of rules, fairness which are all valuable elements of sportsmanship.

"Winning, losing and setting one's goals along with decision-making are all part of being a sportsperson," she said.

All those aspirations were now available to all the Kaitaia Primary School pupils who attended the club on a regular basis to learn and play lawn bowls.

Accompanied by teachers and parents, some of the comments she'd overheard included:

"Totally awesome game", "How does the bias work?", "Looks easy but it isn't", "Does it always curve?", "Bowls are quite heavy as I found out when I dropped one on my shoe!" and "The jack is my target. High fives all round when I touch it with my bowl."