Belgravia Bowls Club president hopes to get back on the greens soon (VIDEO)
Belgravia Bowling Club is situated on Florence Avenue in Bedfordview.
Alan Metcalfe, the second-time president of Belgravia Bowling Club in Bedfordview, yearns for the friendship and comradery of playing bowls at the club during lockdown.
“Playing bowls makes me happy and it brings me enjoyment and I love seeing the friendships created and the atmosphere the sport creates,” said Alan.
He has been a lover of sport all his life, and said growing older bowls has become a sport he can still be competitive in.
“Although it’s not a sport for older people, we have seen an increase in younger people being attracted to the sport as well.”
Being competitive by nature, Alan still feels he plays bowls for the love of it.
“I obviously want to win when I play, but if we don’t win, it’s not the end of the world,” said Alan.
He said he loves playing league bowls, as it is a team effort, with the first division having 12 players and the others having eight players.
“Playing bowls is also a great way to stay active, as you are on the greens for three hours on end.
It is also a great way to get some fresh air and be out doors and destress,” said Alan.
Stigmas attached to bowls for Alan is people’s lack of understanding the sport.
“It is not an overly complicated sport. This is why we have bowls coaches. Upon joining the club we allocate you a coach where you do a weekly session.”
He added the club teaches you how to play bowls, including tabs until you fully understand the sport.
“We as a club also have a standard to playing bowls, we like winning of course,” said Alan.
On his second time being president of the club for two years now, in his 15 years of being a member, last time being 10 years ago, Alan said the club has seen an increase in members.
“We have had a total number of 40 members join the club over the last 18 months,” said Alan.
He included the club stands at 80 male and 49 female members.
Alan said the club plays league bowls on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, with tabs played on Sundays.
“You can also play bounce games whenever you want to play seven days a week,” said Alan.
He said the club is looking at playing night bowls once lockdown is lifted.
“Our club has so much to offer. We have a great facility with a lot of space.
“We have also been rated the top club of the year for two years in row from the Johannesburg Bowls Association,” said Alan.
Since the inception of lockdown, Alan said the club has had to find ways to stay afloat.
He said the club is also a local business, and has had a number of cancellations such as weddings.
“For now we all can’t wait to get back to the greens, and hope the pandemic does not change how we play bowls too much in the future,” said Alan.
