MALENY Bowls Club is taking a step towards curbing low physical activity rates among older Australians by encouraging them to “roll back the clock” through lawn bowls.
Roll Back the Clock is a Bowls Australia initiative, in partnership with Sport Australia, that aims to boost physical activity rates among Australians aged 65 and over through bowls, light exercise and education.
Presently, as little as 25-percent of Australians over-65 meet the Department of Health’s physical activity guidelines of 30 minutes of activity per day.
Health-related reasons, including physical and mental health, are the main barriers for older Australians participating in sport or physical activities and bowls is seen as a low-impact, socially-inclusive activity that can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages.
Maleny Bowls Club’s Margaret Ginns said that bowling was not only great physically, but also mentally.
“The physical side of bowling is really beneficial as it’s not hard on the body but keeps you moving without the stress,” she said.
“Then of course there’s the social aspect, talking and playing with friends and clubmates, which is priceless.”
The club turns 85 in September and is hoping to celebrate the occasion with old and new members.
Roll Back The Clock programs incorporate a two-part activity lasting 30 minutes each, targeting both the body and mind through bowls, functional training, fitness and wellness education, and socialisation.
Sessions are adapted for individuals, with benefits ranging from enabling participants to perform activities of daily life more easily, to withstanding injuries and providing a sense of accomplishment and achievement. In addition to the physical health benefits, engaging in physical activity and group sports for older Australians provides increasingly important opportunities for socialisation, peer-support, and conversation that reduces the possibility for loneliness related physical and mental illnesses.
Roll Back The Clock will be staged at Maleny Bowls Club, from Wednesday July 27, 2022 from 2pm to 3pm, with the eight-week program costing $80. Contact club chair, Wendy, on 0438399604 for more details.
Main image: Maleny Bowls Club’s Les Bennett and Margaret Ginns