Disability Inclusion in Bowls

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Disability Inclusion in Bowls
VICNORD Presentation
Friday 23rd November, 2007
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Club Membership Figures
VICTORIAN BOWLS (RVBA/VLBA)
There Are
534 bowls clubs affiliated to the RVBA
518 bowls clubs affiliated to the VLBA
Over 60,000 members across Victoria
southern NSW.
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Disability Inclusion in Bowls
RVBA/VLBA STRATEGIC PLAN (2007 2011)
Bowls taking the lead in Victorian sport.
VISION
To provide excellent and accessible sporting and
social experiences for all.
MISSION
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN HAS SEVEN KEY FOCUS AREAS
FOCUS AREA 3 - PARTICIPATION
GOAL
More people of ALL ages playing lawn bowls.
STRATEGY 13
Increase opportunities for people with a
disability to play lawn bowls.
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Disability Inclusion in Bowls
OVERVIEW

• Bowls is a sport thats accessible to people of
  ALL ages and abilities.

• Bowls needs minimal modification.

• ALL people with a disability have the
  opportunity to participate in Bowls.

Wheelchair
Intellectual Disabilities
Blind
Deaf
Amputee
Others

• Bowls is a SportsCONNECT sport currently at
  Bronze status. Progress to Silver level in
  season 2007/2008.

• The RVBA/VLBA work closely with Bowls Australia
  to ensure that we are on track with our work in
  the disabilities area.

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Disability Inclusion in Bowls
KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Important to build key relationships with a
  number of groups including

• Disability Organisations (e.g.
  VICSRAPID)

• Access All Abilities (AAA) Providers

• Local Government Regional Sports
  Assemblies

• Districts/Associations

• Clubs

Training
Building a rapport with local disability/AAA
Providers.
Assistance with program creation delivery
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Disability Inclusion in Bowls
PROGRAMS
Bowls have had a number of programs occurring in
Victoria both through RVBA/VLBA, RSA, AAA
Agencies and key disability agencies.

• Australian Bowls Classic (Victorian Side)

• Victoria University PE Program (Special
  Schools)

• BowlsLink (South East Metro Melbourne)

• Bowl Beyond Disability Competition
  (Horsham)

• AAA/RSA instigated programs across the
  state of Victoria.

Creation of a Disability Program Database
(statewide). Investigate opportunities that are
currently available for people with a disability.
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Disability Inclusion in Bowls
LOOKING AHEAD (2007 2011)

• Continue to develop and foster
  partnerships with relevant disability
  organisations to promote lawn bowls and host/run
  competitions and events for bowlers with a
  disability.

• Develop Bowls information fact sheets
  to promote
• the benefits of lawn bowls within the
  disability sector.

• Encourage and support club
  administrators and coaches to participate in
  disability education programs.

• Continue to support the entry of
  Victorian state teams in events
  for bowlers with disabilities.

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Disability Inclusion in Bowls
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Tim Cleveland VicHealth Programs
Coordinator (RVBA/VLBA) Post PO Box 6080,
Hawthorn West Vic 3122 Phone (03) 9819
0757 Email programsrvba_at_bowlsvic.org.au