Following discussions involving the BDA (Bowls Development Alliance), Breckland Council, Active Norfolk and the Norfolk County Short Mat Bowls Association the BDA have issued details of the new “Bowl for Health Programme.” Details of the programme have been emailed to short mat bowls clubs in the Breckland Council area giving them a great opportunity to grow their membership numbers at no financial cost to themselves, only volunteer time will be needed. NCSMBA Vice-Chairman Simon Willies has met with Annie Dunham of the BDA to discuss the scheme and the benefits to short mat bowls in Norfolk. Details sent out by the BDA to Breckland area clubs regarding the “Bowl for Health Programme” are shown below for the information of bowlers affiliated to the NCSMBA.
BDA Statement
We’re inviting short mat bowling clubs in the Breckland area of Norfolk to take part in delivering the Bowl for Health programme – a flexible, inclusive initiative designed to help adults aged 40+ living with long-term health conditions, or those experiencing physical inactivity and social isolation, to start or restart their physical activity journey.
What is Bowl for Health?
Bowl for Health is an 8-week programme offering fun, friendly and accessible bowls sessions, followed by a chance to socialise over refreshments. Originally delivered as weekly 1-hour sessions, the format is adaptable to suit your club and participants — whether that means shorter or longer sessions, mid-session breaks, or adjusting delivery based on the needs of the group.
This programme has had a significant impact in other regions, with 77% of participants continuing with bowlsafterwards, either casually or by joining their local club.
What do clubs need to do?
To take part, clubs will:
- Commit to running a series of 8 relaxed sessions
- Provide a welcoming and supportive environment
- Be open to delivering the programme in a way that suits their own setup and the needs of local participants
- Work closely with the Bowls Development Alliance (BDA) team for planning and delivery
Support from the BDA
Participating clubs will be fully supported by the BDA, including:
- Programme templates, guidance, and session planning support
- Volunteer training and development
- Promotional materials and marketing support
- Ongoing advice and mentoring throughout the programme
Funding Support
If the project goes ahead, each club can receive up to £400 to support delivery. This funding is available because the sessions will be completely free for participants, and is intended to help cover the club’s delivery costs, including:
- Facility hire/ refreshments
- Equipment purchases
- Volunteer travel expenses
Importantly:
- ✅ Clubs do not need to apply for funding themselves — this will be done centrally by Active Norfolk, Breckland Council, and the BDA
- ❌ Clubs will not be expected to run the programme if the funding application is not successful
📩 Get Involved
We are currently collecting expressions of interest to determine if enough clubs are willing to take part. If your club is interested or would like more information, please reply to this email by Monday 16th June 2025 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We’re excited about the opportunity to bring this programme to the Breckland area and hope your club will consider being part of it.