Lawn Bowls at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

The 2018 Commonwealth Games will soon be on our TV screens, running from April 4 to 15, and lawn bowls will be an integral part of the action. This year the Games are being held in the city of Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

As specialists in bowls supplies to players in the UK and international markets, Bowls World takes a keen interest in all the sport’s major tournaments. Here is our guide to how bowls will feature in the 2018 Games, including the sport’s place in Commonwealth history, this year’s venue, and who some of the major medal contenders are.

The History of the Sport at the Games

Lawn bowls has been included in every version of the Commonwealth Games since the competition started in 1930, when it was called the Empire Games. The only year the sport was not included was in 1966 in Jamaica, when not enough greens were available.

Some of the sport’s most famous names have won medals at the Games, including Australian Ian Schuback, England’s David Bryant, and Margaret Johnston from Northern Ireland.

The 2018 Competition

The bowls is taking place at Gold Coast’s Broadbeach Bowls Club, which has already been the host venue for the Australian National Championships and the World Junior Championships. The facility has recently been modernised and now has four greens of international standard.

The cream of the Commonwealth’s men and women bowlers will be competing for medals in singles, pairs, triples and fours, with the final matches being played from April 8 to 13. There are also para categories for people with disabilities, including visual impairment, in the mixed pairs and the open triples.

Leading Contenders for Medals

Historically England have topped the medals table, but other countries are sure to provide stiff competition, including the host country, New Zealand and South Africa.

As it is the Commonwealth Games, Scotland and the other Home Nations will also be sending separate teams, all aiming for medal glory.

England’s Paul Brown has high hopes of success in the para section, while compatriot Ellen Falkner will be looking to add to her three medals captured at previous games. Suffolk’s Katherine Rednall will be making her Games debut.

New Zealand’s Shannon McIlroy is the reigning world men’s singles champion and is in good form ahead of the Games. Australia’s squad includes men’s outdoor world pairs champions Brett Wilkie and Aaron Wilson, plus reigning women’s world singles title-holder Karen Murphy.

Inspired? Bowls World Can Help

If you are inspired by the accuracy and skill of some of the world’s leading bowlers, then bowls supplies specialists Bowls World can help you, whether you are a beginner who is looking to take up the game, or a club or social player who wants to improve.

We supply a comprehensive range of bowls and bowls accessories for all levels of player, whether you are male or female, young or not-so-young. Leading brands we stock include Henselite, Drakes Pride and Taylor Bowls.

Click here to view our full range of bowls supplies. Our extensive online catalogue also includes clothing for all weathers, indoor equipment, and accessories such as grip gloves and scorecard holders. If you or your children are interested in taking up the game, we also bowls-related games for the whole family.