Para events added to World Bowls Championships programme

The 2023 World Bowls Championships, which will be staged on the Gold Coast, will break new ground as the first in the tournament’s glittering history to stage para-bowls events within its programme.

World Bowls, in conjunction with Bowls Australia, will incorporate the same para events that will be held at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham for next year’s tournament.

The announcement further enhances the diversity and inclusion of bowls, and continues to place bowls in the top echelon of inclusive sports across the globe.

Bowls Australia CEO Neil Dalrymple welcomed the inclusion of para events at the championships: “Bowls Australia are thrilled to see para events included in the World Bowls Championships in 2023, as it will showcase the wonderfully talented para athletes and demonstrate just how inclusive bowls is,” Dalrymple said.

“Each nation will compete as one team instead of being separate, so it will be a united Championship.

“I am extremely proud that this change will be made on our shores on the picturesque Gold Coast next year, and eagerly await the commencement of the Championship.”

World Bowls President Darryl Clout echoed those sentiments and said he was proud that the countries will compete as whole squads, labelling this as the way forward for the sport of bowls.

“This is an exciting innovation for the World Bowls Championships, adding extra avenues for some of the best athletes in the sport to ply their trade on the biggest stage,” Clout said.

“It is the way forward for the sport, each nation having one team without separation and everyone having the chance to be a World Champion, like the Commonwealth Games.

“This will no doubt be the most exciting edition of the tournament in its history.”

In an effort to further enhance the viewing experience, the World Bowls Championships will also feature only red sets of bowls and blue sets of bowls used by every nation, replicating the upcoming Commonwealth Games, ensuring that it’s easy to distinguish how many shots are being held, particularly by people less familiar with the sport.

The World Bowls Championships in 2023 will be staged from August 29 to September 10 across multiple Gold Coast venues, including Broadbeach, Helensvale and Musgrave.

Caption: Australia’s Tony Bonnell rolls one down at Broadbeach during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games en route to a para gold medal.

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Words by Val Febbo (Bowls Australia). We thank Bowls Australia for the use of the press release and imagery.