Commonwealth Games-bound bowler Sally-Ann Lewis-Wall has praised vital Sport England funding support after devastating floods threatened the future of Malmesbury Bowls Clubs’ all-weather surface.

Malmesbury Bowls Club was left ruined by extensive flooding damage by Storm Burt in November 2024, when the River Avon burst its banks. It left the club’s green and clubhouse severely damaged, with the important community asset left imperilled by the clean up costs.

Sally-Ann Lewis-Wall, who is set to make her Commonwealth Games debut for Team England this summer, recently visited the club that faced an uncertain future due to the damage.


That was before crucial Sport England funding helped pay for the vital repairs and allowed the club to get back on its feet. It was the second time Sport England has supported the club, after it helped fund the installation of an all-weather green in 2018.

“We were completely covered in water. There was high speed water coming into a bend, coming round and washing mud, silt and debris across our green and into our to clubhouse," said club secretary Alan Rice-Smith.

“Sport England has had fantastic support for this club. Going back to 2018, the club had to make some difficult decisions whether we reinstalled another grass green or to go to this artificial green.


“Sport England's financial support and understanding of our plight back in 2018 significantly supported us to the tune of about £90,000.”
Find out more about how Sport England supported Malmesbury Bowls Club here:

For Lewis-Wall, the funding is priceless for a community asset that provides so much to those in the area. She said, “This all-weather surface is brilliant. I know they've had their problems over the last few years, but with this artificial surface, it's actually an all-weather, all-year-round environment.”

"They have built themselves back up like the rising of the phoenix. The community should be proud of what they have achieved. It is a sport that the whole community can get involved with.”

“Bowls clubs are closing because of the cost of maintaining the equipment and the environment that you need to play the game. Without that funding from Sport England, this club and a lot of clubs can't exist. It is gold dust. You can't put a value on many to what a value it can mean to somebody.”

“I believe a bowls club should always be open for people to experience, even if it's to come along and watch to have the social side of it. A bowls club is the community of any town or village. It's a sport that takes minutes to learn but a lifetime is not enough to master it. It is a sport for all.”

The funding is part of the Sport England Movement Fund, which helps sports clubs across the country upgrade facilities and prepare for the impact of climate change.


Malmesbury’s flooding is just one example of how the changing climate is hurting clubs, with Sport England Environment Sustainability Strategic Lead Denise Ludlam explaining how the funding is making a difference where it matters.

"Malmesbury Bowls Club nearly didn't exist because of flooding. The future of sport is threatened by our changing climate, and we need to protect it so people can continue playing sport now and in the future.

“We need to prepare for the future to protect sport for all.”

Find out more about Sport England’s Movement Fund here: https://teamengland.org/kings-...