Bowl Abilities Is Here!
By Chris Rushton
On International Day of People with Disability – Tenpin Bowling Australia (TBA) has announced the launch of Australia’s newest participation program for older teens and adults with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum – Bowl Abilities.
Bowl Abilities is TBA’s newest participation program, joining Bowl Patrol and Sporting Schools in growing participation in the sport of tenpin bowling.
Bowl Abilities is a modified multi week program which teaches participants the fundamental skills of the sport, in an inclusive, fun and safe setting, whilst also introducing the pathways and opportunities that the sport offers.
This new initiative is funded through Sport Australia’s ‘Move It Aus’ grants program with initial programs to be delivered in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
TBA CEO Cara Honeychurch said Bowl Abilities is another initiative by TBA to create a strong future for the sport.
“It’s exciting on International Day of People with Disability to officially announce the launch of Bowl Abilities. TBA is heavily focused on growing participation in our sport in order to create a strong future and Bowl Abilities will be another great way to introduce older teens and adults with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum to tenpin bowling.”
“As many of our members know, Tenpin Bowling is one of the most inclusive sports and we have a proud history in welcoming and providing opportunities such as leagues, tournaments and championships for people with a disability.”
“I would like to thank Sport Australia for providing support to TBA and am looking forward to welcoming new participants to our sport.”
To launch Bowl Abilities, the program is being showcased at ZONE BOWLING – Rockingham (Tuesday) and Coolangatta Tweed Tenpin (Wednesday) as part of the International Day of People with Disability. TBA Program and Partnerships Manager Carrie Prosser-Shaw said the program has been researched and designed to meet the needs and wants of participants.
“Following on from the success of Bowl Patrol where we have attracted over 15% of participants either having a disability or on the autism spectrum, we have received requests from bowling centres, individuals and groups to offer a program for older teens and adults with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum.”
“Bowl Abilities has been developed with the learnings of Bowl Patrol and takes many of the modifications such as the carpets, simplified scoring and the dedicated levels of achievement. The Bowl Abilities pilots have been a huge success and have shown how attractive the program is to not just people with disability but also disability service providers and our TBA registered centres.”
For more information or to register for a Bowl Abilities program visit www.bowlabilities.com.au or contact Program & Partnerships Manager – Carrie Prosser-Shaw via [email protected]
