Tenpin Bowling adopts ‘revolutionary’ program to increase child participation

Tenpin Bowling Australia (TBA) has announced that it is to introduce a new junior tenpin bowling participation program aimed at increasing participation in the sport for children aged from six to 12 years.

Following over two years of research, design and testing, the revolutionary tenpin bowling program - Bowl Patrol – has been developed by TBA to reverse the decline in participation rates in the sport among children and put the sport back in the minds of parents and children.

With initial research indicating that more than 1.1 million children across the country are interested in participating in a tenpin bowling program and parents placing the sport in the top five sports they would like their children to play, TBA hopes the program will create a long term future for the sport.

With over 50% of registered bowlers over the age of 50, TBA Chief Executive Cara Honeychurch explains that TBA had to develop a program that is revolutionary with a long term sport focus.

Honeychurch explained “with tenpin bowling having an ageing population base we simply need to introduce the sport to the next generation. With many sports being challenged in attracting new participants we had to look for new ways to introduce the sport to children aged six to 12.”

Following recent pilot testing Bowl Patrol is being launched across TBA’s registered bowling centres.

Honeychurch sees that it incorporates a number of innovative concepts based on feedback received by parents and children to ensure the sport can attract new participants.

Honeychurch addsed “one of the main innovations with this program is that we have removed the bumpers and placed carpet on the lanes at incremental distances from the pins.”

“Through the research we conducted, children told us they want to experience the sport the real way and be challenged. Parents also told us that one of the key things they wanted to see was their children progress and learning.

“So what we have incorporated into Bowl Patrol is six clearly defined progression stages that are achievement based rather than age based where children progress through levels from a white band right through to a black band and the results have been great.”

With the national roll out of the program starting in term 3 and following on from 11 successful pilot programs across four states Honeychurch said the feedback from parents and children about the program has been extremely positive.

Honeychurch concluded “after the pilots we surveyed parents and participants and we have seen over 75% of participants either re-enrolling in the program or joining a junior league and a satisfaction level of over 95%.

“The sport can now be proud that we have our first ever national junior participation program that we believe can stand alongside the more established junior sport programs and create future league bowlers and stars of the sport.”

For more information contact 07 3262 4455, E: tenpin.bowling@tenpin.org.au, www.bowlpatrol.com.au

Images: Tenpin Bowling Australia's Bowl Patrol

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