Return to the Green Story: Rosslyn BC
This season, Bowls Scotland are on the lookout for Return to the Green Stories – finding out how our member clubs are reassuring their members, reconnecting their community and respecting Covid guidelines now that we are getting back to bowls. Jim Hiddleston, Club President of Rosslyn Bowling Club, Midlothian has been in touch to tell us how his club has managed to increase membership since Covid19.
Jim told us that Rosslyn’s “top priority for the 2021 Season is to introduce new people to our sport and the many benefits it brings.” As a social, outdoor sport that is accessible to so many, and with the Commonwealth Games around the corner, is there a better time than now to be getting more people involved in bowls? Last Summer, Rosslyn BC signed up for Bowls Scotland’s Frontline Workers Campaign, offering half price membership; thanks to a local advertising campaign, since then they have gained an incredible 35 new members!
Rosslyn also have big plans for their local community this season, and are opening up the club to a range of demographics as Jim explained… “The community of Roslin is growing significantly with 500 new houses being built near the Club and we are maximising footfall with hires for Slimming World, Dance Babies and also regular Saturday coaching sessions. A new Petanque piste is being built in the next few months and we see great synergies in working together on ‘Boules and Bowls’ promotions.”
The positivity and vision that Jim has for the club seems to be endless with plans for the 2021 Season all focussed around building a place for the club at the heart of the local community. Plans are already underway to host a ‘July Bowls Experience Weekend’ in line with Covid guidance, to welcome people to the club to try bowls and get to know the facilities. Jim sees the potential to grow Rosslyn’s membership even further and bring all ages to the club as part of their mission to reconnect the community and Bowls Scotland are excited to see what comes next...
If you have been inspired by Rosslyn BC’s membership growth journey, take a look at Try Bowls for further information on how your club can reconnect the community by hosting open day events this summer.
Please keep sending in your Return to the Green stories via: info@bowlsscotland.com