As big supporters of local sport and youth, Rihoy and Son are continuing sponsorship of Junior Bowls for a third year running.
Young Rollers is an initiative encouraging young people to try lawn bowls, a sport, that isn’t generally taught in schools. The aim is to offer a free and accessible opportunity for young individuals to explore the sport.
Open to all children up to the age of 17 Young Rollers takes place on Sundays from 9.30am to 11am, at Beau Sejour, supervised by 15 coaching members of the Guernsey Bowling Club.
Reflecting on the success of the past two years, Chris Dyer, Club Captain at Guernsey Bowling Club, shared insights into the growth and impact of Young Rollers: “Over the years, Young Rollers has seen a steady increase in participation, with up to 26 children attending each session. This is great for getting more people involved in the sport and means that we can provide a mix of coaching and fun games. Parents are always delighted that these sessions are available for their children free of charge.”
He explained the benefits of bowling for younger children, ranging from enhanced social skills to improved hand-eye coordination and concentration: “Bowls is great for children of all ages. It has the advantage of being accessible and is suitable for all abilities. Whether or not children enjoy the more traditional sports like hockey, netball or cricket, bowls can provide a different way to stay active.”
Reflecting on memorable moments from previous years, Chris highlighted visits from Island Games gold medallist Alison Merrien and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Lucy Beere, inspiring the young participants with stories of dedication and success. Additionally, he mentioned the success of last year’s skillset competition, which showcased the budding talents of promising young bowlers.
“It’s a pleasure to see the children discover an activity they love, and then see them improve week by week – all with a smile on their face!
Central to the success of Junior Bowls is the vital sponsorship provided by Rihoy and Son, without which, Chris noted, the initiative would struggle to remain accessible to all children: “Without the support of Rihoy & Son, we wouldn’t be able to run a junior club without charging parents for the sessions. As a club, we feel it’s important that cost isn’t a barrier to any children getting involved, so we’re incredibly grateful for the support.”
Rihoy and Son’s sponsorship not only sustains the program but also facilitates the purchase of new training equipment and bowls, enriching the experience for all participants. “Their commitment to Young Rollers allows us to continue nurturing a passion for bowls among young people,” concluded Chris.
Dan Taylor, Managing Director, added: “We are delighted to continue our involvement in Young Rollers for a third year running, encouraging the growth of junior bowls in Guernsey.”
