Ballina could play a small but symbolic role in Australia’s push for Olympic gold after being selected to host a special lawn bowls event promoting the sport’s inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Ballina Bowling Club will host one leg of a national showcase event known as “The Long Roll”, part of the Bowls for Brisbane campaign backed by Bowls Australia, Bowls NSW and Bowls Queensland.

The initiative will see a single bowls match played across clubs stretching more than 1000 kilometres from Sydney to Brisbane.

Ballina’s leg is scheduled for May 6 between 3pm and 5pm at Cherry Street Sports.

The travelling event will visit 32 clubs in total, with each venue hosting a short round of triples bowls as the match progresses north.

A showcase for Ballina

Ballina Deputy Mayor and keen bowler Damian Loone said the event would shine a national spotlight on the town.

“This is wonderful,” he said.

“Not only are we promoting a sport played in nearly every country in the world, it’s a great showcase for Ballina to be chosen as one of the clubs involved.”

Cr Loone said the campaign highlights lawn bowls’ international reach and its strong Olympic credentials.

“If we can have breakdancing in the Olympics, I’m sure we can find a way to include bowls,” he said.

“It would be fantastic to see the green and gold competing for medals on the world stage.”

Deputy Mayor Damian Loone

From Sydney to Brisbane

The Long Roll will begin in Sydney on April 29 and finish in Brisbane on May 13, symbolically linking the city that hosted the 2000 Olympics with the one preparing for 2032.

At each stop, local bowlers will contest two sets of five ends, contributing to an overall match between “Australia” and “Rest of the World” teams.

The final result will be decided in Brisbane after the last round is played.

Organisers hope the event will generate media coverage and public support for bowls becoming an Olympic sport.

Big day expected at Cherry Street

Ballina Bowling Club secretary Ross McNamara said the club was honoured to be selected.

“It’ll be a great day for Ballina when this happens,” he said.

He said Bowls Australia chose Ballina because of the club’s reputation for hosting major events and the quality of its facilities.

“Because of our reputation and our greens, they’ve decided they’d like us to be involved.”

Club officials expect a strong turnout of members and visitors when the travelling event reaches Ballina.

“It’ll be a big day at Cherry Street,” Mr McNamara said.

Local bowlers will be selected by the club committee to represent Ballina in the match.

With bowls already a popular sport across Australia and a long-standing fixture at the Commonwealth Games, supporters believe the Brisbane Olympics could be the next step.

And if that happens, Ballina bowlers might just be able to say they helped start the roll toward Olympic gold.