News Update
Bowls with Bushell on the BBC
(May 09, 2011)Bowls with Bushell on the BBC
'Bowls - the Sport for All' will be the message to viewers during a special feature due to be screened on BBC Breakfast's Saturday morning show later this month.
Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Natalie Melmore was on hand at Thame BC in Oxfordshire on Wednesday 4th May to give expert guidance to BBC Sport's 'have-a-go' presenter Mike Bushell.
The duo were joined during the recording by both club members and children from the neighbouring Lord William's School, to demonstrate to the viewing public that bowls truly is the 'sport for all'.
Natalie said, "It was great to have the opportunity to show bowls off to the masses. I had a great night both guiding the youngsters and meeting with club members. Hopefully the publicity generated over the coming weeks will help to put bowls in the spotlight and encourage more people to have a go at our sport for the first time at their local club this summer."
The event had been arranged by Thame BC members Bill Giles (the former BBC weather presenter) and Vic Brooks with support from Bowls England.
Bill, who is Vice-Chair of Thame BC, explained: "We have been actively recruiting new members for our club over the past two seasons with a great deal of success. However, this recording will hopefully have a positive impact for club's looking to recruit across the country. We were thrilled that Natalie was able to attend and she was a wonderful ambassador for the sport of bowls."
Mike Bushell regularly presents the sports news on the BBC Breakfast Show, and is known for trying more than 250 different sports. The feature is due to be broadcast on Saturday 21st May just after the sports news at approximately 7.35am, 8.35am and 9.35am (schedule permitting).