Over the years, the sport has played an integral part in the Commonwealth Games, delivering the Games’  oldest competitor - George Miller -  who took to the green in Birmingham 2022 at 75 years and 8 months. But after a push to attract younger athletes to the rink, the sport is enjoying an influx of competitors who are testing the delicate balance between youth and experience.

The challenge of the Ages: Breaking through stereotypes

Bowls might have a reputation as a sport for those of advancing years, but the melting pot of competitors at Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Club showed that stereotypes might not always ring true. It attracted a diverse range of top-level bowlers, with the youngest, 19 year-old Jack McShane from Australia, being over six decades younger than the oldest, Maureen Caesar from Jamaica who is 80 years old.

In fact, the four singles finalists in Aberdeen had a combined age of 149, a stat that says everything about how bowls brings generations together on equal footing.

Despite this diversity at the professional level, interviews with the athletes highlighted that these outdated opinions and stereotypes still hold strong – and many of our competitors find themselves fighting for recognition in a way their peers in other sports would never endure.

This was especially prevalent in some of the younger athletes. To them, these stereotypes developed earlier on, particularly in social circles.

Emily Kernick of Team England, who secured silver in the women's singles and gold in the mixed pairs said: “The instant reaction when I used to say I play bowls is “Oh, that’s an old person’s sport.” It was a bit embarrassing, especially when I was young and my friends wanted to go to the cinema or out at the weekends, and I’d say I can’t, I’m playing bowls. I’ve lost friends over it. That initial reaction from people can be a bit hurtful.”

These stereotypes don’t reflect the reality of bowls today. But they still stick, especially for those just starting out. And yet, those same young players are often competing at the very top of the sport.

“Some of the best players in the world are in their late 20s or early 30s,” Emily adds. “That age perception is just so not right.”

Changing the Narrative: Age Doesn’t Matter on the Green

What makes bowls different is that those perceptions are actively being challenged and changed: by players, teams, and the sport itself.

Jack McShane, the 19-year-old Australian who secured the men's singles gold, says there are plenty of benefits to a career in bowls: “That’s one of the best bits of the game. You can play it for as long as you want. That’s why so many people get involved with their parents, their grandparents, uncles, and aunties. It’s a sport the whole family can be part of."

It’s not just about youth breaking through, it’s about the whole community recognising that ability, passion and enthusiasm matter more than age, and everyone is able to compete on a level playing field.

Olly Thompson, representing the Falkland Islands, highlights how rare that is: “I don’t think you’d get many other sports that are that open. You don’t often see a 19-year-old competing properly against an 80-year-old.”

Culture, Community, and Connection

Across the Commonwealth, bowls means different things to different people. In many places, it’s a deeply family-oriented tradition passed through generations.

Emily’s mum, Michelle Meadowcroft, is a perfect example of how the sport draws people in. She remembers: “I started bowling at 23. My mum was already bowling at work and I’d join her for a roll-up at lunch. One day they were short a player, and they asked me to step in. They said even if I got one shot, it was better than none, and that got me hooked. I played one game and never stopped.”

Michelle adds: “I dragged her round the bowls green as a baby. Both my daughters were by my side, running around the green.”

Tayla Bruce, who secured a bronze medal in the women's singles, reflects on how important it is to preserve the cultural side of bowls: “That traditional side of the game, with the older players, I think it’s something we can treasure. It’s part of our history. And it doesn’t matter how young or old you are, you’ve always got a chance in bowls.”

A Sport Where We Have More In Common

Bowls doesn’t just tolerate age differences, it thrives on them. A sport where every player, no matter their age, is part of the same game. And that’s what makes bowls ‘more in common’ – and with age and diversity being two of Commonwealth Sport’s key values, it’s a good reason why bowls has long been a part of the Commonwealth Games.