Agenda item

The Committee considered a report that provided the detail of a request received from the Irish Bowls Federation (IBF) seeking permission to develop a Disability Bowls Hub in Belfast, along with details of a proposed pilot project for a Disability Bowls Hub in Belfast.

            The Members were advised that in 2022 the IBF had undertaken a Club Engagement Survey (response rate of 73%). The key findings and emerging priorities from this survey had highlighted the following:

·        the under representation of women and girls;

·        a disability gap with a surprising lack of active playing members with a disability and provision;

·        an ageing demographic;

·        survival of clubs; and

·        a lack of any recognised club support structure to help with sustainability and growth.

            The IBF had since agreed to focus upon one emerging priority area, namely, the provision of more sporting opportunities for people with disabilities.

            The Members were advised that the IBF had identified Musgrave and Grove Bowling Pavilions as potential sites to develop the Disability Hub, given the availability of indoor halls for all year-round use.

            The Members’ attention was then drawn to the proposed short-term priorities for the programme - June to September 2022, as follows:

·        to investigate, develop and help implement a ‘Disability Bowls Hub’ pilot programme;

·        the provision of all equipment;

·        engagement with local community groups;

·        the provision of bowls coaching with experienced bowls coaches;

·        to encourage and promote wellness and well-being; and

·        to build a positive and inclusive sports culture.

            The Longer term aims and objectives were then highlighted, as follows:

·        to continue a working partnership with Belfast City Council to help promote and foster the development of talented athletes;

·        the provision of suitable facilities, for example, a bowling green and pavilion that was fully accessible to all disabilities with suitable equipment (adapted wheelchairs) for use on the bowling green; and

·        to develop athletes to represent Northern Ireland at prestigious International para and visually impaired events and establish the necessary infrastructure to facilitate their preparation, training and development.

            The Committee was advised that Northern Ireland was the only home country, which currently did not have para or visually impaired bowls representatives at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

            The Committee noted the key findings from the recently commissioned research and the level of existing support mechanisms within the sport of bowls and welcomed this proposed pilot project.  Several Members stated that they would be keen to ensure that this valuable work was extended and built upon following the initial pilot.

            Following discussion, the Committee:

·        agreed to support a pilot project up to a maximum of £6,000 with the view of developing a “Disability Bowls Hub” to provide more sporting opportunities for people with disabilities and agreed that this pilot would be extended to include those with unseen disabilities; and

·        noted the need to extend the work beyond the actual pilot and agreed that, following the pilot, officers would review its success and submit a report to Committee that would explore how the work could be continued and enhanced within the context of the Sports Development Strategy.