About VI Bowls

We are always keen to recruit new bowlers to our wonderful sport.

So if you have stopped playing bowls due to deteriorating vision and you can no longer see the jack.

Or you have never considered playing bowls due to sight loss, because you didn’t think you could?

Perhaps now is the time to give it a try! You would be most welcome.

Bowls can be social and great fun but can also be highly competitive.

Why not challenge yourself or encourage someone you know with a vision impairment to get in touch with us here.

Who are WAVIB?

The Welsh Association of Visually Impaired Bowlers was originally formed in 1982.

It was initially financed by a generous contribution made by Barry Athletic Bowls Club to the players attending the UK Singles to help with costs. However all the players decided to donate the money to a central pot and this formed the funding for the new organisation now known as WAVIB (Welsh Association of Visually Impaired Bowlers))

We receive a level of financial support from Disability Sport Wales and are one of their member organisations.

Our aim is to provide opportunities for those with sight loss to play bowls from grassroots through to high performance.

We host various events, training sessions, competitions, regional and Internationals as well as other key events through the year.

Wales has enjoyed its share of successes over the years with representatives playing in National, International, World, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games Championships.

We work hard to build on continued success and strive for improvement and enjoyment for our members.

We are also fortunate to be able to celebrate and have the honour of participating in exciting events such as the Queen’s Baton Relay, the Commonwealth Games Kit Launch, The SPOTY Awards in Manchester to name but a few showing that bowls really can provide so many opportunities for us all.

Committee

Officers

Chair: Owen Williams
Secretary: Julie Thomas
Treasurer: Frances Dilley
Safeguarding Officer: John Wilson
Communications and Public relations: Julie Thomas
Team Manager: John Wilson

Help us promote visually impaired bowls at your club.

Download our poster here

What is Visually Impaired Bowls?

Although Bowls has been around for centuries it was not until 1959 that people with a vision impairment were introduced to the game of bowling.

In those early days the VI bowler would be placed on the mat and instructed to bowl to the sound of the voice, the clapping of hands or the ringing of the bell from behind the jack.

Today the coaching system used is based on the 'clock' system and enables bowlers to play bowls in a more streamlined and efficient way.

Find out more