Keen lawn bowlers from six of Ingenia over 55s communities came together last week at Lake Munmorah for some healthy competition in an inter-community bowls tournament.

The inaugural tournament hosted at Ingenia Lifestyle Lake Munmorah’s clubhouse bowling green, is the first in what organisers hope sets the benchmark for a regular annual event.

The tournament was planned to capitalise on the high popularity of the sport amongst residents, and with a strong desire to connect Ingenia communities across the state.

Lawn bowls is a popular activity at all the communities, offering significant social benefits and helping to maintain physical and mental health, with low impact cardiovascular exercise and hand-eye coordination support, as well as the opportunity to connect with other seniors in an active, social environment.

Ingenia Lifestyle Operations Manager New South Wales Kerryn Deacon said residents loved getting together to enjoy some healthy competition, stay active, and have a good time making new connections and new friends.

“The bowling green is one of the best parts of the clubhouse and a star feature of some of our Ingenia Lifestyle over 55 communities – the residents love heading down to the green and their passion for the game is contagious – they know how to play and they know how to have a good time,” Ms Deacon said.

“Having facilities available for the residents has such a positive impact on their physical and mental health. It provides a space for them to come together and, this year particularly, a safe space for them to get outside and into the community.”

The Lake Munmorah team did its home grounds proud and took home first place, winning a plaque and medal for the team, a voucher for an Ingenia Holidays trip and, most importantly for winning player Mark Withers – bragging rights.

“It was a great day and good for everyone to be able to get together for some healthy competition, but all in good fun. Winning the tournament was just extra!” Mr Withers said.

“Everyone from all the communities really enjoyed the tournament and I got to meet up with some blokes that I’ve known for years that live in the other communities.

“For me lawn bowls is a social thing, I’d never played it before until I came to Ingenia Lifestyle a couple of years ago – I’m really looking forward to the next tournament!”