Bowls Scotland Inspires Young People at Forth Valley Para Sports Festival

Bowls Scotland was pleased to attend the Forth Valley Para Sports Festival on 17th March 2026 at Grangemouth Sports Complex, where young people had the opportunity to try a range of sports in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Hosted by Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), the festival brought together a variety of sports to give young people with a range of disabilities the chance to get active, build confidence and enjoy new experiences. Bowls Scotland delivered four afternoon sessions on the day, engaging with 40 participants and introducing them to bowls in a fun, welcoming and accessible way.

The festival provided an excellent opportunity to showcase how bowls can be adapted to support different needs, while creating a positive first experience of the sport for young people who may not otherwise have had the chance to try it. With support from staff, volunteers and festival organisers, the sessions focused on enjoyment, inclusion and ensuring every participant could take part in a way that suited them.

Stuart Chesby, Bowls Scotland’s Disability Development Officer, said:
“For bowls, it is one of those sports where you need to adapt to different levels of impairment, and at para sports festivals like this you often have to think on your feet because you never quite know who is coming along next or what support they may need. That is part of what makes it so exciting and rewarding. The biggest takeaway from the session is seeing the young people leave with massive smiles on their faces, regardless of whether they had played bowls before or fully understood the sport at the start. The most important thing is that we are giving them the opportunity to try bowls in a welcoming environment, and that is something many of them may not otherwise have experienced.”

For Bowls Scotland, the event was also a valuable chance to reinforce the message that bowls is a sport which can be enjoyed by everyone. Across all four sessions, participants were able to try something new, develop confidence and experience the social and inclusive nature of the sport.

Oliver Martyn, Bowls Scotland’s National Development Officer (East), added:
“As this was my first Forth Valley Para Sports Festival, it was an eye-opening experience. We worked with young people with a wide range of disabilities, but the common thread throughout the session was clear — bowls really is a sport for everyone. Across the 40 participants we engaged with over four afternoon sessions, everyone seemed to take something positive away from the experience, whether that was learning a new skill, building confidence or simply enjoying trying something different. It was fantastic to see how well the sport could be adapted to suit different needs while still being enjoyable, inclusive and accessible for all.”

With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games taking place later this year, events like the Forth Valley Para Sports Festival are an important part of inspiring the next generation and helping young people see what is possible through sport. For Bowls Scotland, the day was a positive reminder of the role bowls can play in creating inclusive opportunities and supporting future athletes on their sporting journey.