Eastern Canada’s top lawn bowlers have rolled into Saint John this weekend for the 52nd Atlantic Lawn Bowling Championships. Hosted at the Seaside Lawn Bowling Club on the city’s west side, the event featured 32 teams from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., and Quebec all vying to play their part in bringing the Sid Currie Memorial trophy back to their province. “It can get quite heated,” says Christopher Lane, president of the Seaside Lawn Bowling Club. “It seems to have been Quebec and Nova Scotia [winning] the last few years, but New Brunswick has got to get that this year.” For those unfamiliar with the sport, Lane says lawn bowling is very similar to curling or bocce ball. Teams throw a set of balls each end and aim to be closest to a small yellow ball called the “Jack.” The closest balls are awarded points. There are both men’s and women’s teams consisting of either two or three players. The ultimate weekend winner is determined based on which province garners the most overall points over the three days of bowling. Lane says the weekend is free for anyone who wants to come see the athletes in action. “It’s great for our club to get some notoriety within the community,” says Lane. “We’re kind of hidden away here in Seaside Park behind the trees, but we hope that people will come and enjoy the entertainment and the good playing over the weekend.” Games begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and will wrap up around 4 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. “What I love about lawn bowling is it’s a sport that’s for anybody,” says Lane for those interested. “You don’t have to have lots of great sports ability. I am not an athlete by any means, but this is a game that I enjoy.” Lane says the lawn bowling community is tight knit and very welcoming to all interested players. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
