Paddock Wood Bowls Club is proud to say we have the facilities and coaching support to welcome bowlers who have a disability.  If you or your family or friends have an illness, disability or are recovering from a condition, for example, a stroke, you will receive a warm welcome at our club.

The sport of Bowls can be played by almost anyone, with or without a disability.  Bowlers with a disability can compete with or against non-disabled bowlers in most situations. It is one of the most accessible and integrated sports readily available.

We were delighted to welcome a team representing Disability Bowls England who played a match against Paddock Wood Bowls Club on July 22nd 2021.  8 Members of DBE, including two players who are part of the selection process for the 2022 Commonwealth Games squad took part.

On a scorching hot day we played 2 Triples and a Pairs match.  The DBE team who generally play on grass struggled with adapting to the challenges a carpet offered and lost all three matches.

PWBC Club Captain, Keith Merrin, with Linda Hobbs beat the DBE Club Captain and Commonwealth Games hopeful Michelle White, who played with Isaac Shieh 22 – 7 in the pairs match.  Keith said, “It was both humbling and inspiring to play against these hugely talented Bowlers who saw their disabilities not as a handicap but as an opportunity to play sports they had not previously considered”.

The two Triples matches, Skipped by Phil Horn and Dave Cross won 20-7 and 24-8 respectively.

The DBE team included 5 members of MS Swale who suffer with Multiple Sclerosis and their helpers.

The match fees and proceeds from the raffle were donated to the PWBC Club Charity, Compaid who support disabled people in Kent.

PWBC have been previously commended for the quality of information about disabled facilities on their website were invited to play the match because of this.  Keith said, “we are pleased with our ‘disability friendly’ approach but it was a great opportunity for us to test our facilities playing against a team of disabled bowlers and we look forward to welcoming them back again next year”.

Please view the photo gallery to see photos of the day.

Parking and Access to the Club

There is ample car parking at Putlands Sports Centre in Mascalls Court Road and our club is located behind the Centre, (see map on our home page). 

Should you be arriving by public transport, there is a bus stop in Maidstone Road (number 6 bus) which is a 200 metre walk to Putlands Sports Centre.

Access to the club from the car park involves a walk of around 250 metres along flat, hard surfaces.  There are no steps etc to negotiate to obtain access to the club.

Access to the Green

We have ramps, steps and handrails available to get onto and off the green and being an artificial surface, bowling can take place whatever the weather.

Available Equipment and Facilities

We have a range of equipment specifically for disabled bowlers including a range of bowls in a variety of sizes, including '000';  Bowls and Jack lifters; and Bowls Launchers which are ideal for bowlers who suffer from a bad back, hips or knees.  We are also able to source specially adapted wheelchairs which can be used on the green (notice required for this piece of equipment).

Our Clubhouse has an accessible toilet facility and refreshment area.

Coaching and Support

Our team of qualified Coaches are able to provide tailored coaching for any player with a disability and, subject to demand, we are able to organise designated coaching afternoons for disabled bowlers.

If you would like to find out more information about how Paddock Wood Bowls Club can welcome you into the club, please do contact our Chairman and Qualified Coach, Doug Croker on 07790 506290 or email at dcroker@hotmail.com.

We look forward to welcoming you to our club.