Bowls

Women in Bowls strategy, opens in a new tab, Bowls Australia, (August 2021). Initiatives currently in action include identification of leaders, Women’s leadership courses, staff and leadership team education, club workshop pilots, governance and media reviews.

Participant Experience Survey: Summary report, opens in a new tab, Sarah Kearney for the National Women in Bowls Working Party, Bowls Australia, (November 2020). In August 2020, a national survey was created to gather data and evidence and provide the Working Party with information to guide the creation of a strategy to address this important area of our sport. While men and women had similar roles in bowls, their perspectives and experiences were quite different. Overall, it appears that more men held the general perception that bowls is a gender equal environment, whereas women had a heightened awareness of systemic barriers (such as access to competition and selection), social issues (such as unacceptable language and behaviour), and cultural issues (subtle stereotypes and discrimination). On a positive note, many men were also aware of these issues and like their female colleagues, were largely supportive of building a more inclusive culture.

Open Bowls, opens in a new tab, Bowls Australia, (accessed 31 July 2025). Following a number of challenges relating to anti-discrimination legislation at club, regional and state/territory association level, Bowls Australia (BA) has undertaken detailed research and has formulated a position on Open Bowls in Australia. Where only single gender competition is offered, it is desirable to provide an opportunity for Open Bowls to take place. Open Bowls does not solely relate to open gender, but religion, race, culture and disability collectively.