Popular sport for all ages

Press, 17 June 1988, Page 33

Popular sport for all ages

Tenpin bowling is a sport that is increasing in popularity among New Zealanders. The game in its present automated form was introduced to Aucklanders five years ago and quickly spread to other centres. New Zealand’s largest bowling facility, Bowlarama, was opened in Christchurch last May. Situated at 18 Watts Road in Sockburn, Bowlarama has 30 fully automatic lanes. During its first year, Bowlarama was expanded to include an indoor cricket centre. There are three courts of international size and the centre caters for graded and social teams. “Some keen cricketers use the indoor facility to maintain form during the winter months,” says Phil Jones, the manager of Bowlarama. Another facility which has been developed during the past year is the

“Strikers” family restaurant. “The menu is designed for families and we try to keep everything as economical as possible,” Mr Jones says. “The restaurant and Bowlarama combined offers an ideal evening’s entertainment.” Mr Jones believes that tenpin bowling is one of the very few sports a family can participate in as a group. “We cater for bowlers from the age of four and have special light-weight balls for younger players.” Although the sport is new to New Zealand, tenpin bowling has been played since before the 17th century. It originated in Germany where it was known as a game of ninepins. The tenth pin was apparently added in the United States to overcome an 1841 ban on the game. Eventually the game became very popular in

America and was commercialised. The world’s largest bowling centre, with 144 lanes, is the Fukuyama Bowl, Osaka, Japan. Mr Jones says that many people who try tenpin bowling soon become very involved in the sport. Those who want to play regularly should join a league which offers attractive playing charges and more realistic competition. The league co-ordinator is Bowlarama’s assistant manager, Peter Scott. There are about 26 leagues at present and they range from the “Gremlins” which is made up of seven to ten year old children, to the Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Super League. Mr Scott says that around 90 per cent of the top Christchurch bowlers belong to the Coca-Cola league. Another league, the “Al-

ley Cats” is for housewives and shift workers. Most leagues play once a week. Bowlarama caters for beginners and will even offer free instruction. Phil Jones says that showing people how to play the game properly is good for future business. For more experienced players, there is the Bowler’s Pro-Shop. This is run by Kevin McClure who is one of New Zealand’s top bowlers. At special times, which include Saturday and Sunday mornings, a family can pay reduced rates ($l5 to S2G including shoe hire) for a rent-a-lane. This is very good value and allows for a game of one hour. Larger social clubs are also catered for. The building's mezzanine floor can hold up to 300 people. Sometimes a company will hire the entire centre for an evening.