New push to put Croatia on the world lawn bowls map

(Photo: Slavko Perica)

A new initiative is aiming to establish lawn bowls in Croatia and create an international pathway for Croatian players around the world to compete for the country on the world stage.

The project has been launched by Slavko Perica, a Croatian-Australian who has represented Croatia at the World Bowls Championships.

Perica says his aim is to introduce the sport more widely in Croatia, bring together Croatian lawn bowlers from different countries and create the foundations for Croatia to compete in future international events.

There is also a longer-term ambition to help lawn bowls strengthen its position as an international competitive sport, with Brisbane 2032 identified as a possible Olympic target.

“As a Croatian-born Australian who has represented Croatia at the World Bowls Championships, I would like to bring this sport back to my homeland and give future Croatian champions the opportunity to represent Croatia on the World Stage, perhaps even at the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane,” Perica says.

From buće to lawn bowls

Croatia has a long tradition of playing buće, a ball game played particularly in coastal parts of the country.

The initiative points to the similarities between the traditions of ball sports played in Croatia and lawn bowls, while noting that lawn bowls itself has not developed into an organised competitive sport in Croatia.

One of the challenges is geographical. Traditional Croatian buće is well suited to the country’s terrain and existing playing environments, whereas lawn bowls requires specially prepared playing surfaces and facilities.

The new initiative is therefore focused on creating the infrastructure needed for the sport to develop.

The organisers are currently looking for a suitable location in Croatia where a lawn bowls club could be established, allowing players to learn the sport, train and compete.

The longer-term objective is to establish two or three clubs in Croatia, with at least one fully operational facility where regular practice and competition can take place.

Opportunity for Croatians worldwide

The initiative is also looking beyond Croatia itself.

Croatian-born players living abroad, as well as people of Croatian descent who already play lawn bowls, are being invited to register their interest and provide details of where they currently play.

(Photo: Slavko Perica)

The organisers are compiling a database of potential players and people who could assist with administration and the development of the sport.

There is also an invitation to people living in Croatia who already participate in other sports.

“We are looking for people who are playing tennis or soccer or some other sport at quite an elite level, and who would like to give lawn bowls a go,” the initiative says.

The sport is being presented as one that can be played across different ages and abilities, with both men and women able to compete.

Slavko Perica (Photo credit: World Bowls)

Rules for representing Croatia

There are specific eligibility requirements for players wishing to represent Croatia in World Bowls-sanctioned international competitions.

Under World Bowls regulations, a player can qualify to represent a country if they were born in that country, are a citizen of that country, or have been a permanent resident for at least 24 months immediately before the relevant event.

In addition, a player needs to be a member of a bowls club registered in Croatia.

That makes establishing a recognised club in Croatia an important part of the initiative.

(Photo: Slavko Perica)

Perica has already held several meetings with the Croatian Consul in Perth, who he says has been supportive of the project.

According to Perica, the Consul has offered to assist in identifying council land that could potentially be used for a clubhouse and bowls facility.

Expressions of interest have already been received from bowlers, and the organisers are now building a database of people interested in helping develop the Croatian side of the sport.

(Photo: Slavko Perica)

For a country that has competed at every Summer Olympic Games since becoming an independent nation in 1992 and has won 47 Summer Olympic medals, lawn bowls would represent an entirely new sporting opportunity.

The immediate objective, however, is more basic: establish the clubs, develop participation and create a competitive structure in Croatia.

(Photo: Slavko Perica)

From there, the organisers hope Croatian players at home and across the diaspora can begin competing under the Croatian flag at international lawn bowls events.

With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, the initiative is calling on Croatian bowlers around the world, and those interested in helping establish the sport, to get involved.

Expressions of interest can be sent to: [email protected]

(Photo: Slavko Perica)