National Volunteer Award Profile – Inchture Bowling Club Coaching Team
Inchture Bowling Club’s junior coaching team are the latest recipients of a Bowls Scotland National Volunteer Award, recognising their dedication to helping young bowlers learn, grow in confidence and develop a love for the sport.
What began with a handful of children showing an interest in bowls has developed into a thriving junior section, supported by three coaches and six volunteers. Alongside creating opportunities for young people, the team’s work has encouraged parents to take up the sport and helped build a strong family community within the club.
Reflecting on how it all started, the coaching team explained: “It all started from seeing some of our grandchildren and friends’ children watching the adults play bowls and showing an interest in having a go themselves. We initially had three adults who volunteered to show them the ropes and introduce them to the sport.”
Seeing how much the children enjoyed those early sessions encouraged the volunteers to undertake coaching courses and dedicate an evening each week to their junior bowlers.
“What started quite simply has grown into something we are incredibly proud of. Seeing the enjoyment, friendships and confidence the children have gained has been hugely rewarding for all of us.”
The team were nominated by Susan Robertson, who highlighted the care and enthusiasm they bring to every session. Alongside their weekly coaching, the volunteers regularly discuss the children’s progress, plan future activities and consider how sessions can be improved.
Susan said: “I nominated this coaching team as week in, week out every single one of them strive to ensure that each child is learning, achieving and having fun – it is an absolute joy to watch.”
Their approach has helped the junior section flourish. The club promoted sessions locally, including through a local Facebook newsletter, and invited children from the local school nursery to experience bowls through a fun introductory session.
From there, word spread, with the junior section reaching full capacity every year since.
The coaches explained: “The key was making the sessions fun, welcoming and inclusive, so that the children simply wanted to come back.”
That welcoming environment includes young people who require additional support, with the team committed to ensuring everyone feels included and has the opportunity to participate.
The benefits have extended across the wider club. Many parents have become members themselves and now compete in internal and external competitions, bringing families together through bowls and helping strengthen the club’s future.
Susan believes the team have also helped other members recognise the positive contribution juniors make to club life.
“Everywhere Inchture go to play, someone will mention what a fantastic juniors section we have, which really is a reflection on what a wonderful job these coaches do.”
There has been plenty to celebrate on the green too, with six of the club’s juniors now representing Perthshire Under 25s. The coaching team highlighted Perthshire’s gold success this year as a particularly proud achievement for the players and everyone supporting their development.
Looking ahead, the club plans to support more of its volunteers through coaching courses before next season, helping sustain the opportunities available to its young members.
Asked what advice they would offer other clubs considering a junior section, the team’s message was simple: “Go for it!”
“It’s not just about producing good bowlers. It’s about giving children the opportunity to try something new, build confidence, make friends and become part of a club and a community.”
For the Inchture team, those experiences remain the greatest reward.
“For us, the greatest reward is seeing the children enjoying themselves, growing in confidence and developing a genuine love for the sport. Watching them progress and represent their county is simply the icing on the cake.”
Huge congratulations to the Inchture Bowling Club coaching team on behalf of everyone at Bowls Scotland, and thank you for the time, care and enthusiasm you give to the next generation of our sport.