Indoor bowls, fancy giving it a go? You’re never too young.

You might picture indoor bowls as something for retirees on a summer’s evening. Three sisters in Gloucestershire are proving that wrong.

Emily, Erin and Hattie Burke picked up bowls after lockdown, just looking for a way to get outside and spend time together as a family. A few years on, all three play for their county, Erin’s represented England at U18 level, and they’ve got their sights set on the Commonwealth Games.

Indoor Bowls: a sport where teenagers excel

It’s a good reminder that bowls isn’t just a niche hobby for older players. It’s a proper sport, with real competitive pathways, and it’s one where teenagers can genuinely excel.

At Oldham Active, we run indoor bowls sessions open to all ages, and we’d love to see more young people trying it out. Here’s why it’s worth a go:

It gets you off your phone and around people. As Hattie Burke put it, when you’re out with others, you stop noticing your phone and start picking up social skills without even trying.

It’s a sport you can play alongside your family. The Burke sisters play with their parents and grandmother, and their granddad’s been a member at his local club since the 1980s. Bowls works across generations in a way a lot of sports don’t.
You don’t need to be sporty already. Indoor bowls is about technique, focus and strategy rather than raw fitness, so it’s genuinely open to beginners of any age or ability.
There’s a real pathway if you want to compete. County and even international bowls is open to teenagers who take it seriously, as Erin’s example shows.

If you’re curious, come along to one of our indoor bowls sessions at Oldham Active. No experience needed.