Sports Recommendation

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Lawn Bowls

In Hong Kong, lawn bowls may not be a popular sport, but it has a history of over 120 years. As society evolves over time, the sport has gradually become a common pastime. Lawn bowls offers a fascinating experience, characterised by a competitive spirit that can be enjoyed by participants of all ages and genders.

Introduced by Scots and Taken Root in the Community during the 1970s

Introduced by Scots to Hong Kong as early as 1900, lawn bowls first emerged as a pastime among expatriates in private clubs. In the 1970s, the first ever public lawn bowls field in Hong Kong was completed at Victoria Park, marking the moment when sport took root in the community. Today, lawn bowls is even more flourishing in the city, with 44 clubs and approximately 5 000 active players regularly participating in various competitions organised by the Lawn Bowls Association of Hong Kong, China (LBAHKC).

Simple and Accessible Yet Mentally and Physically Challenging

Lawn bowls equipment is relatively handy. What players need are just a set of bowls and the jack. Uniquely designed, the bowls are varying in size and weight, allowing players to choose the best fit for their strength and skill level. The jack, a small white or yellow ball, serves as the scoring reference point. The game rules are easy to understand, but the gameplay demands tactical planning. During a game, players roll their bowls across the field towards the place as close as possible to the jack. Bowls curve due to their shape, adding further variables and greater difficulty to the game. Players must apply appropriate force at precise angle to ensure that their bowls are rolled along the best path towards the jack. At the end of each round, the players with the bowls closest to the jack scores. Given this, in additional to techniques, the power of concentration and application of strategies are the key to victory.

Lawn bowls competitions are typically divided into singles, doubles, triples, or fours. In singles, players use four bowls each. In team competitions, depending on the format, two to four bowls are used. Generally speaking, the one with the highest score after a certain number of sets, or the first to reach the target score, wins. In singles, the first to reach 21 points will be the winner. Doubles, triples, or fours are played in a fixed number of sets, usually 18. The team with the highest score at the end of all sets declares victory.

Match Formats

Inclusive Fun for All Ages Crucial to Understanding in a Harmonious Society

Thanks to its easy-to-understand rules and simple equipment, lawn bowls is open to new comers. That said, the evolving tactics involved make it hard for them to master the supposedly easy-to-learn skills, while bringing immense fun to players. On the field, players must carefully plan how to execute various moves. Although matches may last as long as three hours, the time allowed for thinking during delivery is limited. Given this, players must stay focused and respond quickly, a great test of their wit and physical strength. The most attractive element of this sport is its diversity and inclusiveness. With moderate physical demands, it is suitable for persons of all ages and physical abilities, so that the able-bodied and those with disabilities can compete against one another. Opportunities for exchanges in sports enhance mutual understanding, contributing to a harmonious society.

Hosting International Events to Elevate Hong Kong’s Status

The recent years have seen the robust development of lawn bowls and its great success in Hong Kong. For instance, LBAHKC not only organises diverse local and international competitions on a regular basis, but also strives to promote the popularity of lawn bowls and its development into an elite sport. LBAHKC, in collaboration with the LCSD, organises lawn bowls training courses at Victoria Park, Tai Po Waterfront Park and Siu Lek Yuen Road Playground in Shatin for free public participation, in which professional guidance is available to allow more people to experience the joy of lawn bowls. Besides, such training courses become a cradle for elite athletes, allowing many of the promising players to shine in international lawn bowls competitions. Currently, Hong Kong ranks among the top spots internationally in lawn bowls, for which credit should be given to LBAHKC.

This year, Hong Kong will host the World Bowls Junior Indoor Championship. Looking ahead, we will have more international events in the pipeline, which will draw more sports lovers to this test of wit and physical strength. We earnestly look forward to the further development of lawn bowls in Hong Kong.

Player Etiquette

As a recreational sport, it is crucial for players to display etiquette and decorum on the field.

The code of etiquette for lawn bowls is as follows:

• Cheer for good shots, regardless of teams;
• Respect opponents, and maintain patience, kindness and courtesy during play;
• Do not interfere with the opponent’s delivery;
• Be attentive and avoid disrupting nearby lanes;
• Apologise to the opponent for lucky shots;
• When moving between the ends of the lane, walk along the centre as much as possible; and
• After each end of play, kick the bowls to the back of the mat.