Club liaison officer Roger Barns said with falling membership, clubs needed to follow Doubleview Bowling Club’s lead and try new things to encourage younger generations of people to join.
“A lot of bowls clubs are struggling and if you don’t get off your backside and do something, you’re going to struggle,” he said. “We’re trying to reach out to the community.
“During February and March, the club holds our community bowls event over six weeks and we have possibly the biggest community bowls event in WA, where our four greens are full each Wednesday night and some 200 bare foot bowlers enjoy a fun night of bowls, beverages and food.
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Club director Lindsay Thorn said he hoped the $129,000 the City of Stirling invested to refurbish the club would be a way encourage young families to join, with meals offered with a social membership.
“The social aspect is really good; it becomes like a big family,” he said. “The kitchen refurbishment will be a help and encourage people to come down and see what the club is all about
“We also have a sports bar showcasing all the latest sports.”
Club stalwart Dawn Cockram, who joined the club in 1972, said ladies membership had dropped off over time.
“I would like to see more young people getting involved because we’re all getting very old,” she said.
“I think they don’t know what they are missing out on.
“It’s a beaut little club.
“I’ve met a lot of friends of the years.”
Visit www.doubleview.|bowls.com.au.