Visually Impaired?

Just because someone is blind or otherwise visually impaired does not mean they

cannot take up bowls. Visual impairment can range from total blindness to any

serious visual condition which cannot be corrected with the aid of spectacles or

other aids. Apart from a few very simple differences, bowling for visually impaired

players is exactly the same as for normally sighted players.

The visually impaired bowler is allowed a sighted person to assist them by advising

on which line to take and whether any of their opponent’s bowls may be an

obstacle. There will be a sighted person standing at the jack end to relay

information about the distance of the jack from the mat and to give an indication of

the position of the bowl in relation to the jack. A thin white string which runs from

ditch to ditch is placed along the centre of the rink, under the mat to help in

gauging the line to take when bowling.

Several coaches have been trained to assist visually impaired bowlers. At present,

there are certainly a number of visually impaired bowlers playing in clubs around

Norfolk who are proficient enough to compete against normally sighted players.

For details of coaches who are currently trained to help visually impaired bowlers,

contact Brian Deakins, Senior Coach by telephoning 01603 748610 or emailing

briandeakins555@btinternet.com. Any registered bowls coaches who wish to be

trained to help visually impaired bowlers should also contact Brian.

Remember, any Club may be approached by a visually impaired person who is

interested in taking up bowls, so you should be prepared in advance.

The Norwich Visually Handicapped Bowls Club meets every Wednesday and bowls

from 11.30am to 1pm at County Arts Bowls Club. Membership is £15 per year and

all new bowlers receive coaching from Brian Deakins (details above).

There is also a visually impaired bowlers group at Gallow Bowls Club (Fakenham),

which meets every Friday. For details, contact the Club on 01328 862867.

In addition to welcoming any new visually impaired bowlers, the Clubs are always

pleased to receive offers of help for the bowlers in the form of transport to and

from the venue and assistance on the green.

Full training will be given to anybody offering to act as a helper.

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