Support for bowls community to implement review recommendations


Released 18/06/2021

The ACT Government will provide $60,000 to Bowls ACT to assist them to begin implementing the recommendations from the Strategic Facility Review of Bowls in the ACT, which was undertaken to help ensure the long term viability of the sport in Canberra.

The ACT Government, in partnership with Bowls ACT, commissioned the report in 2019 to help find a way forward for the sport, which is facing an uncertain future due to substantial market pressures and declining membership.

Lawn bowls is an important sport for the community, contributing to healthy and active lifestyles for all ages. The government is committed to improving participation rates and ensuring lawn bowls can continue to thrive in Canberra.

The review, undertaken by RSM, highlights the importance of lawn bowls within the community and provides a number of recommendations to help increase participation rates, rebuild clubs’ revenue base and improve the quality of facilities across Canberra.

A major impact on the viability of clubs has been the shift away from a reliance on gaming machine revenue, which clubs have traditionally used to underwrite their facilities and maintenance costs.

The review looks at ways clubs can continue to provide facilities for members without the need to be reliant on gaming machine revenue.

The $60,000 funding for Bowls ACT will help the organisation begin to implement the recommendations of the review and consider how the sport may need to change to improve its long term sustainability so it can continue to be enjoyed by Canberrans for many years to come.

The ACT Government will continue to engage with Bowls ACT and local clubs as we work through the recommendations in the report and finalise a government response in the coming months.

*Quotes attributable to Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, Yvette Berry*

Quotes attributable to Ciaran O’Rourke, CEO of Bowls ACT:

“Bowls ACT is excited to see the Strategic Review of Bowls in the ACT highlight the importance of the sport within the ACT community. Bowls ACT agrees wholeheartedly that to not have lawn bowls available to the community would severely diminish the recreational and sporting opportunities available in Canberra.

“Bowls ACT believes that the recommendations outlined within the report will serve well as a base for change in the bowls community. The recommendations outlined reflect a need for significant culture change within the sport that is based off an evidential approach and the opinions of stakeholders within the community. The sport faces a combination of factors impacting its future direction and the non-biased approach to the review gives the community a chance to recognise the importance of these factors.

“Bowls ACT looks forward to discussing with its members and community how to implement the recommendations outlined in the review in the most appropriate manner for each of the clubs within the ACT and extending the reach of the review to clubs and communities in NSW.”

- Statement ends -

Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

Name Phone Mobile Email


«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases