DECLINING memberships, fluctuating participation and cruel stereotypes that bowls is only a game for ‘old people’ continue to challenge the sport moving forward.

Add to that a change in domestic landscape and bowlers amidst time-poor lifestyles, encouraging people to venture out onto the green and play competitively is getting a whole lot harder.

That’s why Bowls New Zealand, in association with World Bowls is hosting ‘Bowls Participation: The Changing Landscape’, a specific conference tailored to the changing face of the sport both in New Zealand and worldwide, delivering key messages around how to make the changing face work in a variety of settings.

Coinciding freely with the World Bowls Championships in Christchurch, the audience will be in for a treat with presentations scheduled from leading sporting organisations such as Sport New Zealand, NZ Golf, NZ Olympic Committee, World Bowls, Bowls Australia and plenty, plenty more.

The highlight of the two-day conference is sure to be the Day 2 breakfast address from keynote speaker and World Bowls president John Bell, who undoubtedly holds a strong reputation for delivering enlightening oratory, with integrity, professionalism and entertaining humour all wrapped in to one.

Not to be missed alongside a top class line-up of speakers, Sport NZ chief Peter Miskimmin and NZOC’s Kereyn Smyth will provide memorable insight, alongside the Hon. Nicky Wagner (MP for Christchurch Central) and speakers from NZ Golf, Sport Taranaki and Bowls North Harbour, among others.

Spearheaded by Bowls NZ chief executive Kerry Clark OBE, the conference aims to address the critical importance of remaining relevant in a rapidly changing sport and entertainment landscape.

The conference, being held at the stunning Rydges Latimer Hotel complex in Christchurch, will distinctly spotlight trends around bowls participation and help to encourage a new way of thinking, with mini break-down workshops being held throughout.

If you’ve got any interest in the survival of bowls, or sport, in general, then be sure to book your ticket as soon as possible. With spaces limited to the first 200, and international registrations already filing in, it’s fair to say this conference is the place you want to be come November 25.

Further information and registration details available from Bowls New Zealand www.bowlsnz.co.nz.