Derbyshire Scouts has teamed up with the British Crown Green Bowling Association (BCGBA) under the banner of the Bowls Development Alliance to introduce new and exciting games and activities for all sections that provide opportunities to earn badges, including our new Bowl Together badge.

Why Bowling?
Bowls is one of the most inclusive sports. Anyone with a disability can enjoy everything the sport has to offer without limitations, competing at local, national and international levels.  In bowls, there are opportunities for all abilities and needs. Players can compete with or against bowlers for fun, socially or enter competitions. Further, we have these amazing clubs / green spaces within our local community, such as a bowling club or a sports centre.

Bowls Development Alliance covers four Bowling disciplines and their coaching organisations: Crown Green Bowling, English Indoor Short Mat, Bowls England, and English Indoor Bowling Association and Coach Bowls.

If Young People complete each Activity on our list below, they can earn a Bowl Together badge. The Activity complements other Challenge and Activity badges for all sections. 

The bowling games list essential considerations for each match, including safety instructions, equipment requirements, space requirements, and challenge level.

Let’s Get Bowling Badge Criteria
Activity One
Complete three games, from the resource pack (click here for the resource pack). Any section can play the games, but recommended levels from a challenge perspective are Squirrels / Beavers Level 1, Cubs / Scouts Level 2 and Scouts / Explorers Level 3.

1. Have a go at a game once or twice.
2. Come together and discuss how the game went – what could you improve for next time?
3. Have another go – did your score improve? is the game still fun? Is there something you could add to the game – more players, a timing element, or a change in bowling distance?

Activity Two
Did you know that Bowls is one of the leading sports in the 2026 Commonwealth Games, being led by Bowls Scotland in Glasgow? In addition to Bowls, there is also a Para Bowls competition. Discuss with your sections how you could adapt one of the games you have played for a young person with a visual impairment/disability. Consider the STEP Model—Space, Task, Equipment, and People.

Activity Three
Visit a local bowls club and have a go. Have a discussion with the club afterwards about how the activity went and how you think they could make the club inclusive to Young People?
To support you with this, the Bowling Development Alliance will match you with a club. Please see the Contact and frequently asked questions section below for information on how to contact them.

 

 

This activity contributes to the following badges in different sections:

Teamwork Challenge Award

Disability Awareness Activity Badge

Skills Challenge Award

Sports Activity Badges

Information for Leaders

Activity 1
Bowls Development Alliance has created challenge games that you can play indoors and outdoors. Each game has a challenge level. We have suggested challenge levels for each section to enhance engagement, but it doesn't really matter; whatever works for your Drey, Colony, Pack, Troop, or Unit is fine. Each activity provides safety considerations, the equipment you need (primarily cones and balls), and space requirements.

Activity 2
Bowls is an incredibly inclusive sport open to people of all ages and abilities. When considering a session including individuals with disability, we recommend observing the 3 Key Principles:

• Talk and Listen: Speak directly to the individual and listen carefully. Be patient.
• Don’t Assume:Avoid guessing what support someone needs.
• Ask About Barriers: Work together to identify challenges and find solutions.

Use the STEP system to facilitate a discussion about how the game could be adapted to be inclusive.

Consider how you can make the games accessible for people with different disabilities.

1. Space – Adapt the physical area to provide different levels of challenge or support.
2. Task – Modify rules or objectives to suit different abilities.
3. Equipment – Adjust tools or resources to create a level playing field.
4. People – Change group size or roles to meet individual needs.

Space:-
What might need adjusting?
Consider physical disabilities (wheelchair users, walking frames, sticks), Intellectual Disabilities, and Visual Impairment.
How might we do that?

• Ensure enough space for mobility aid so everyone can move safely.
• Keep areas clear of obstacles.
• Reduce noise or limit group size for those who feel overwhelmed.
• Provide clear boundaries for visually impaired participants.

Task / Equipment:-
What disabilities might require changes?

• Dwarfism, Cerebral Palsy, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disabilities

How can we adapt?

• Use smaller or lighter equipment for easier handling.
• Provide aids (e.g. bowls lifters or helpers to pass items or equipment).
• Give visual demonstrations and written instructions.
• Use high-contrast colours for visually impaired participants.

People:-
Who might need extra support?

• Cerebral Palsy, Dwarfism (fatigue), Hearing Impairment, Physical Disabilities, Intellectual Difficulties, Visually Impairment.

How can we help?

• Allow breaks and provide seating for those who tire easily.
• Be patient – some may need more time to process instructions.
• Face individuals who lip-read when speaking.
• Offer a quiet space for time out.
• Use a buddy system for visually impaired participants to describe actions and give clear instructions.

Bowls is one of the most inclusive sports. Anyone with a disability can enjoy everything the sport has to offer without limitations, competing at local, national and international levels.  In bowls, there are opportunities for all abilities and needs. Players can compete with or against bowlers for fun, socially or enter competitions. Further, we have these amazing clubs / green spaces within our local community, such as a bowling club or a sports centre.

Bowls Development Alliance covers four Bowling disciplines and their coaching organisations: Crown Green Bowling, English Indoor Short Mat, Bowls England, and English Indoor Bowling Association and Coach Bowls.

 

Activity 3
There are different variants of bowling, but the clubs we should be using are part of the Bowls Development Alliance (BDA). Within the BDA are different bowls disciplines – Crown Green Bowling, Short Mat, Flat Green bowls, and English bowls are broadly the same in terms of woods or bowls being rolled to a jack, typically down ‘rinks’ or ‘lanes’. However, there are slight variants depending on location and facilities – Short Mat and some Flat Greens clubs operate indoors, and Crown Green Bowling greens aren't flat; they have a crown.
The Bowls Development Alliance ensures that affiliated clubs have an agreed-upon standard level. This includes the appropriate level of Public Liability insurance, safeguarding, and facilities, including toilets. We have created a basic Risk Assessment template; however, we suggest leaders visit the clubs before to look for themselves and also discuss logistics such as safe place to meet /collect YP, agree access to toilets ( adult / YP maybe in shared space), First Aid facilties (you may need to take a kit for YP), weather management ( possibly an exposed location/ shelter) and best place leave personal kit (some clubs are in public spaces). We have agreed with the BDA that Leaders will take photos and share them with the club afterwards (if requested and applicable). You may need to remind the club / other players not to take photos themselves.
The actual evening format will look something like this: quick introduction to the club, equipment and rules, have a go at bowling, come back together to discuss how you could improve, and play an actual game, or maybe have a go at one of the games in Activity 1. The session should also include a safety briefing, a 5-minute warm-up and a cool-down with reflections on the session.

 

How to be introduced to a Club?
Please let the BDA know your location, the number of Young People, and the age of the Young People – a rough idea of the number of adults who will be attending will be helpful to BDA, who will then match you with a local club. Click here to contact BDA via email. 

 

How to get your badge?
Once you have completed Activities 1 to 3, click here to contact Derbyshire Scouts, make sure you include the number of Young People and Leaders who have taken part in the activity.