NZ Disabled Lawn Bowlers Association Inc
Reg Number: 1608891
Head Office: P O Box 17-118, Greenlane, Auckland
Website: www.nzdisabledbowls.org.nz
Contacts:
President: Quinn Mahoney Telephone: 03 310 2294 Email:
Treasurer: Colin Frude, Telephone: 04 938 1373 Email:
Secretary: Alan Carson: Telephone: 09 437 6012 Email:
WHEELCHAIR BOWLERS – TYRE & WHEEL REGULATIONS
The following wheelchair regulations are approved by the committee of the New Zealand Disabled Lawn Bowlers Association Inc, and The IBD (International Bowls for the Disabled)
To avoid possible damage to a lawn bowling green, whether a grass or synthetic surface these regulations must be adhered to without exception.
Front Wheels
The small front wheels or castors must be a minimum size of: 200mm high x 50mm wide. The tyres should be a slick pneumatic tyre. However, solid wheels are also acceptable. The tyres must be covered with either duct tape or preferably an inner tube cut in half and glued over the top of the tyre. This ensures the tyres are as slick and smooth as possible.
Rear Wheels
The large rear wheels must be a minium width of 45mm. The tyres should be a slick pneumatic tyre. The tyres must be covered with either duct tape or preferably an inner tube cut in half and glued over the top of the tyre. This ensures the tyres are as slick and smooth as possible.
Wheelchairs on-the-Green Recommendations
You must make sure you do not make any tight turns. Always ensure a wide circle is taken when turning on the green.
On the Mat
If you have the mat, move it up an extra metre or so to give everyone more space to move. When it’s your turn to bowl, ensure you wheel in a straight line directly onto and off the mat.
Changing Ends
At change of ends you must ensure you wheel up the centre of your rink. If you are playing on the outer rinks, I.E. rink 1 or 8, wheel around the outside edge of the green.
On the Head
Do not move around whilst other people are bowling and make sure you are a minimum of two metres behind the jack. We suggest you place yourself to one side of the head with your back wheels in the ditch leaning up against the edge of the green.
Wet Conditions
In the case of particularly wet greens or other unusual circumstances, consultation and a common sense approach between the wheelchair user and the club administrator or greenkeeper is essential. You must never attempt to play on a green if you think there is a chance your wheelchair will cause damage.
Recommended Bowling Wheelchair Supplier
You may use any company you like to purchase a bowling wheelchair, however, the wheelchair specifications MUST comply with the regulations above.
We recommend Melrose Kiwi Concept Chairs. They have been building our bowling wheelchairs for over nine years. All wheelchairs comply with the New Zealand regulations and all chairs are completely custom built to fit the individual’s specifications for size, rake and camber.
They may also be able to alter an existing wheelchair as a lower cost alternative. It is not usually possible to have one wheelchair fulfil everyday needs as well as Bowling requirements. Please contact Melrose for further help and advice.
Contact:
Melrose Kiwi Concept Chairs, 108 Sawyers Arms Road, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Telephone: 03 354 5616, Email: Website: www.wheelchairs.co.nz
Aluminium frame.
Complete custom fit-built to individual specification, size, rake, camber.
Fixed or folding frames as standard.
Adjustable back height in fixed frame.
Adjustable footplate height.
Quick release, 20 x 1.75 wheels.
200mm x 50mm castors.
Skirt guards and foot strap.
Powder coat finish. / Titanium frame
Upholstery with adjustable back
Rigid skirt guards
Waist strap
Back bar cover
Tapered Seat
Rubber coated push rims
Spoke guards, ABS on footplate
Anti tips
Custom powder coat
Whatever you can think of to improve your game, they can build for you.
Travelling Overseas
The New Zealand Disabled Lawn Bowlers Association Inc, feels our wheelchair regulations and on-the-green recommendations are set to the highest standards. However, we must state that these regulations and our on-the- green recommendations are meant for New Zealand conditions only. In the event of a wheelchair bowler travelling overseas to play they should be aware that tyre standards and on-the-green conditions in other countries may differ. However, most countries standards are the same as ours. As far as we know the UK seems to be the only country that differs but please be sure to check prior to entering a tournament overseas.
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