The humble bowlo is in decline but remains important for local communities

Junee Jokers Bowling Club is bucking the trend.

Secretary Martin Holmes has been bowling for 22 years and said the family-oriented nature of the sport helped it survive in regional communities.

"We're a very lucky club, we would have one of the youngest memberships in the district," he said.

"It's about family. Because it's family orientated, we keep bringing them in, the kids see us play and have a go and bring their friends."

The Junee Jokers in the NSW Riverina is the only bowls clubs in the town but has seen an increase in young female bowls participants in recent years.

"Our most junior member Madison just turned fifteen, and she's our minor singles, minor pairs and minor fours champion," Mr Holmes said.

Researchers from the University of NSW have analysed the history of lawn bowls clubs in Sydney and found that the city has lost nearly half its 'bowlos' in the past 40 years, with no new clubs established in the 15 years to 2020.

Lead author of the study Louis Heath said bowling clubs were central to the post-war suburban leisure boom in Australia.

"There were often many sports clubs in one suburb, including an abundance of bowling clubs. Having multiple clubs in some suburbs just couldn't be sustained over time," he said.

Records show lawn bowls have been played in Australia since the 1840s, but the game has its roots in ancient Rome with the European game of Bocce.

The modern bowls club has evolved to become a community hub for music, socialising and entertainment to support the long term financial viability of these suburban institutions.

There are still 250,000 registered lawn bowls members in Australia, according to Sports Medicine Australia.

The majority of players are males aged over 55 years.

University of NSW's Mr Heath said lawn bowls clubs performed an important social function.

"They are a place to engage with your local community and make friendships, the relaxed vibe and the affordable beer in an unpretentious setting still resonates with Australians."

Watching the iconic Australian comedy 'Crackerjack' in lockdown prompted 23-year-old Hans Gammelin to pick up the sport.

Crackerjack follows an inner-city lay-about, Jack, who joins the local bowls club and helps save it from becoming a pokies, meeting a cast of eccentric locals along the way.

"In lockdown I thought I'd go to my local club and see if it was anything like Crackerjack, and it was," he said.

"Cheap beer and food and lots of classic and welcoming characters with interesting stories got me hooked."

Mr Gammelin relishes the opportunity to socialise while bowling.

"I really like that it lets me hang out with lots of people who aren't in my usual demographic," he said.

"While it's competitive there's a lot of respect built into the game and sportsmanship is written large in the etiquette of lawn bowls."

IN OTHER NEWS:

While the research suggests the future for lawn bowls is uncertain, advocates say they are a quintessential part of the Australian cultural landscape.

Junee Jokers' Mr Holmes said the inclusive and accessible nature of the sport helped its popularity in the local town.

"It's a relaxation sport, and anyone can play, whether you've got a disability or not," he said.

"I can teach anyone to play bowls in ten minutes.

"But it takes a lifetime to master the game," he said.