Meet Colin

Colin's Story | Melton

Colin is a disabled bowls player at Melton and District Indoor Bowls Club and with Disability Bowls England, as well as an ambassador for Disability Bowls England and MISPA (Melton Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity). Colin was born with a physical disability which means he has limitations with his mobility, and suffers with depression. Whilst he was never really into sport growing up, feeling like he couldn't compete at the same standard as non-disabled people, in 2010 he happened to be near the local outdoor bowls club when they were having a practice, and asked to have a try. Realising he was quite good at the sport, and really enjoyed playing, he joined the team. Using a wheelchair on the bowls green and a special stick for balance, it means he can play at the same level as anyone else.

A couple of years later a visiting team member invited Colin to play indoor bowls, so he had a go and subsequently joined Melton Indoor Bowls Club. In 2016, after seeing a post on Facebook about disability bowls, he travelled to Nottingham to watch a match, demonstrated his skills, and became a member of Disability Bowls England. Colin believes that the sport of bowls is great for anyone to play and has found that playing has given him the focus that was needed to help his depression.

If you would like further support about any of the themes covered in Colin's blog or video, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/

Find out more about Colin

Who is your biggest inspiration/role model?

My mum was my biggest inspiration she always told me that despite the fact I was born with a disability I was capable of doing and achieving anything I wanted to do.

Where is your favourite place to be active, and why?

My favourite place to be active is on the bowls green, indoor or outdoors, because while I'm taking part I feel equal to everyone else playing.

For you, what is the best by-product of being active?

When I've played a game of bowls it gives me a lift mood-wise and you get a buzz whenever you play well, or win a competition!

What is your one top tip for others looking to be more active?

Anyone who wants to be more active don't be afraid to try anything and if you enjoy something, go for it! It's so good to feel like you can achieve something, big or small, in a team or on your own, you will feel better physically and, more importantly I think, mentally you'll feel uplifted too.

Find out more about bowls

Bowls truly is a sport for all. Find out more about local opportunities to take part.
Find out more about disability sport

We are committed to equality in sport and getting more disabled people involved in sport and physical activity.
We Are Undefeatable

We Are Undefeatable aims to support people to build physical activity into their lives, in a way that their condition allows.