Leading Australian retirement village operator, Stockland, announced a partnership in late June with Bowls Australia with the goal to boost the health and wellbeing of over 11,000 Stockland village residents across Australia. The cooperation between both organisations is designed to encourage residents to participate in social and competitive lawn bowls, coaching clinics, and free health and wellbeing seminars.

The official launch of the partnership took place at Stockland’s Mernda Retirement Village in Victoria. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and Australian Jackaroo, Barrie Lester, led a coaching clinic for residents, one of the first to he held by bowls personalities as part of the program within the three year partnership.

Anna Learmonth , General Manager for Retirement Living at the Stockland village, said, "This is all about encouraging happier, healthier, more active residents at all of our villages.”

Recent research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows people aged 65 and over have the lowest participation rate in physical activity nationally, at 47 per cent, as well as the lowest rate of involvement in organised sport, at 17 per cent.

Adding to these figures, Ms. Learmonth commended the new program. “Research shows that regular physical activity for retirees is the key to maintaining good health and vitality and one of the most effective ways to improve emotional wellbeing.”

“We want to encourage our residents to get involved, keep fit, stay connected and be a part of something they can enjoy in a group. Bowls offers all of that,” she said.