Crown is king
I spoke with crown green bowling sensation Greg Smith about the 'old man' stereotype
7 August 2017
With three Waterloo titles to his name, Greg Smith is one of the most recognisable names in crown green bowling at the moment. And at just 24-years-old, the Birmingham-based star has a very bright future ahead of him individually, domestically and at county level.
Smith is part of the dominant Warwick and Worcester county side that claimed five Senior County Championship titles in six years between 2010 and 2015. Since breaking onto the senior county scene in 2010, he has won 29 of 32 matches and dropped just eight chalks (664 from a possible 672).
Unfortunately for crown green bowls, however, is the label that comes with the sport. The ignorant amongst the population still perceive it as being an ‘old man’s game’. A common misconception of elderly gentleman in flat caps enjoying a leisurely jaunt at their local club or park. They couldn’t be further from the truth.
Bowls is a thriving sport amongst the younger generation – particularly in Yorkshire, who have won six of the last seven Junior County Championships. The reigning champions will go up against Wales in their semi-final on 13 August as they bid to defend their crown, reinforcing their status as top dogs at youth level.
But can this new generation of bowlers inspire more young people to take up the game and transform the negative stereotype?
“Since winning the Waterloo I've had several messages from many younger players in the game asking for advice and tips, what bowls I used and why I play in the way I do,” said Smith. “I felt myself winning the Waterloo, with it being the first year back on TV, was ideal.
“After speaking to the guys behind the scenes of organising the Waterloo they wanted the players to give it their all and make it entertaining, and viewers seeing a young lad running around the green and showing so much passion and enthusiasm could only encourage young people to take up bowls.
“People I work with often refer to bowls as an old man's game and wonder why I play it so much. My answer is: don't knock it until you've tried it and see what goes on in crown green bowls as it's very different to what they expect.
“It’s different to flat or indoor bowls in the aspect players are usually allowed to wear what they like, make as much noise they like on the side of the green and have a sociable drink after the game. Also, because of the success I've had in recent years, I've spoken about that with them and they are shocked by how much money can be earned through bowls.
“A lot of my team mates and close friends are aged between 18 and 45 – very similar to darts, golf and snooker players’ age range. I'd encourage them to come to a major event like the Waterloo or All Britain to see a fantastic atmosphere to change their views.”
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Currently ranked at joint seventh in the Arthur Land Rankings 2017 – alongside county teammates Ryan Prosser and Gareth Herbert – Smith is also enjoying an unbeaten campaign in the Warwick and Worcester Bowling League.
The West Brom FSC star followed in his fathers’ footsteps and took up bowls at the age of five, but unless a family member or friend plays the game, the pathway into bowls isn’t a particularly obvious choice. What is the appeal to playing an unknown sport if you’re starting out on your own? For one, the social aspect and the camaraderie, a sense of belonging and the prospect of success.
“I think people do need to have an interest or a link to somebody within bowls to have an interest,” admitted Smith. “If you’re a newcomer you will more than likely start in lower leagues, so if you started up on your own it could become a little bit lonely and this is where it needs to be fun to encourage participation.
“The ideal scenario would be a group of people who are maybe too old to play strenuous sports anymore – probably aged 35 to 40 – who want to remain competitive, enjoy the social side to a sport and enjoy playing together.
“Investing in coaches, coloured bowls and t-shirts to take into schools is another idea I believe could prove to increase participation at school level.
“Clubs can advertise in local newspapers, schools and clubs for open days where people who have never had a go can come along and play with some members on the green. Also organise bowler and non-bowler doubles competitions which gives non-bowlers to chance to achieve some success at the early part of their bowls careers which would result in encouraging them to playing again as they enjoyed the success.
“Starting up novice teams where young people can be part of and enjoy games with and against players on the same level as them could be an idea.”
It takes a lot of dedication to achieve the success that Smith has tasted over the past few years, and he is in good company. The likes of Gary Ellis, Graeme Wilson and Callum Wraight are all distinguished names in the sport, and Smith is certainly highly regarded on the circuit.
The Warwick and Worcester home captain believes more events like the Big Smash in Cumbria could help to make bowls a more attractive sport, with entertainment value high.
“Music played throughout the day and rather a 21-up game it was 20 ends of bowls and every fifth end was a 'power' end where you could earn double points,” continued Smith. “This gained so much more interest in games and real tense moments in games where supporters felt involved.
“As I mentioned earlier; allow players to wear what they like and have more major events with bookmakers in attendance.”
