The more relaxed approach adopted by Bowls New Zealand has led to the rapid development of the youth bowls programme throughout the country.
Bowls New Zealand has 3000 bowlers between the ages of 12 and 18 in its youth programmes and has rejuvenated a sport that was rapidly losing players.
"It's bringing a whole new dynamic and a new life into the sport," national programmes manager Rob Pidgeon said.
An important ingredient in the upsurge of bowls among teenagers has been the relaxation of the dress code. The staid approach adopted for women's bowls in the past kept younger women on the sidelines.
Pidgeon was in Dunedin for this week's New Zealand secondary schools championships and was impressed by the high standard of bowls played.
The best bowlers in action this week would challenge the best and most experienced senior players.
"They were playing shots that would be admired by experienced internationals," he said.
"They are so professional in the way they do it."
Bowls was considered a novelty sport when the New Zealand secondary schools championships was first held in Hamilton in 2000.
It was looked upon as an option for pupils who did not have the physical strength and agility to play more active sports.
"The annual championships has grown from its early beginnings into a high calibre event in which the best players represent their school and battle it out on the green," Pidgeon said.
There was now a greater recognition from schools of the importance of bowls in the school sports programmes.
"As the event has continued to grow in prestige, the schools are recognising the importance of it," Pidgeon said.
"The schools are happy to have their pupils participate in the sport and value the prestige attached to qualifying for the national finals."
In major team sports, like rugby and cricket, it was difficult for smaller country schools to compete against the big city schools. But bowls was different and pupils from smaller country schools were able to compete on equal terms with their big city cousins.
"There are pockets in Auckland and other main centres that have strong youth programmes," Pidgeon said. "But there are also kids who have come from small schools who qualify for the national finals."
There was not a lot of resources needed to play bowls.
"They just need a set of bowls and a bowling club nearby where they can practise their skills,"Pidgeon said.
"It is a cost-effective sport."
