Posted on Monday 5th December, 2022

Thanks to Bowls New Zealand for this guest post.


Bowls New Zealand congratulates all New Zealand Paralympians on your efforts and achievements as successful Para athletes. We’d like to offer you the opportunity to continue your participation and success in another sporting domain.

Why compete in lawn bowls?

All New Zealanders can play lawn bowls, whether it is just for fun, health and fitness, through to participation in national and international competitions.

The bowling community is a diverse and inclusive one. Bowls New Zealand has close working relationships with all the disability groups who support participation in the sport of lawn bowls, regionally, nationally and internationally. Lawn bowls meets the needs of athletes who want fun, participation and socialisation at local club and community level, right through to representing New Zealand at events such as the Commonwealth Games or World Championship events.

Lawn bowls is a sport that participants can compete in at all ages. This means you can have a very long career in lawn bowls.

The Bowls New Zealand High Performance Programme

There is a well-developed high performance programme within Bowls New Zealand. This includes a “One Team” concept which means that selected athletes participating in open or disability international events train together in their preparation to represent our country. At all training camps and events, all athletes are supported by our High Performance Support team, including Team and Personal Coaches, Sports Psychologists, Nutritionists and Medical Support. Our athletes have both team and individual programmes to help them work towards events.

Bowls New Zealand is developing a Talent Identification programme to work towards achieving success at all future international events.

How to get involved in Para lawn bowls

Would you like to participate in Para lawn bowls? Then we want to connect with you. We would welcome contact from anyone who would like to give Para lawn bowls a go.

Contact Kevin Smith, High-Performance Para Athletes Coach, at [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you if you are keen to explore what options the sport of Para lawn bowls may offer you.