Broadbeach Bowls Club upgrade inspires new generation of bowlers

Published Tuesday, 27 March, 2018 at 02:43 PM

Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

The Broadbeach Bowls Club’s $4 million upgrade is inspiring the next generation of lawn bowlers ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Minister for Commonwealth Games Kate Jones said since the upgrade, the venue has hosted the 2016 Junior World Championship and 2017 Australian Open.

“The Broadbeach Bowls Club, the official host of the GC2018 lawn bowls competition, was one of seven venues upgraded by the Palaszczuk Government well ahead of the Games,” she said.

 “Attracting high-quality sporting and major events is key to attracting more visitors to our great state.

Boardbeach Bowls Club Operations Manager and 2016 Broadbeach Open Champion Sean Igham said the upgrade was a great opportunity for the club and for him personally.

Mr Ingham is 23 years old and was attracted to the sport while working part-time at the club’s bar.

“Thanks to the upgrade, the club was able to offer me a full-time position when I finished high school, and this month I was promoted to Operations Manager,” Mr Ingham said.

“It’s a great opportunity for me and I feel very lucky to be doing something I love for work.

“It’s great to see more people around my age attracted to the sport now that we have one Queensland’s best bowls club and a reinvigorated bowls community, thanks to the Games.”

Ms Jones said the Broadbeach Bowls Club upgrade is a perfect example of the legacy the Games will leave for local sporting clubs.

“An important legacy of the Games will be the investment we’ve made in local clubs,” Ms Jones said.

“I can’t wait to see more lawn bowls players of all ages taking advantage of the state-of-the art facilities at Broadbeach.

“We’ve invested $320 million in sport infrastructure for the Commonwealth Games to provide long-term sporting, tourism and economic benefits for Queensland.”

The Broadbeach Bowls Club upgrade was funded by the Queensland Government, Australian Government and the City of Gold Coast.

Media contact: Kerrie Kahlon 3719 7538