A WELSH sports club has partnered up with a national charity to encourage people in Wales to lead more active lifestyles.

The Welsh Crown Green Bowling Association (WCGBA) have struck a partnership with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru.

It is hoped that the partnership will bring positive health benefits for people with long term conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and even cancer.

Simon Walker, the National Development Officer for WCGBA, said: “I am really looking forward to working with BHF Cymru in reducing the impact that heart and circulatory diseases have on people living here in North Wales.

“By utilising the bowling facilities here in North Wales, we hope to improve residents’ life expectancy and support a worthwhile charity at the same time.”

About the partnership, the BHF Fundraising Manager for North Wales, Cheryl Lockyer, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to the WCGBA for supporting the BHF.

“We share a common goal in encouraging residents in North Wales to live less sedentary lives which will reduce their risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases or risk factors, such as Type 2 diabetes.”

Around 2,100 people die each year in North Wales due to heart and circulatory diseases, while diabetes prematurely claims the lives of 24,000 British people every 12 months.

It is recommended for people with diabetes to exercise regularly for better blood sugar control and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

However, less than 40 percent of men and 30 per cent of women in the UK are considered to be active enough to gain those health benefits.

Bowling is an anaerobic type of physical exercise which is similar to walking with free weights. It helps in burning calories and works muscle groups that are not usually exercised.

The flexing and stretching in bowling works tendons, joints, ligaments, and muscles in the arms and promotes weight loss. While most sports are particularly suited to people of certain ages, bowling can be practiced by everyone from the very young to the very old.

There are over 100 bowling greens across North Wales, where you can see bowlers of all ages compete against each other in official league matches.

So, if you want to combat inactivity or enjoy the physical and mental benefits of bowling, visit

www.wcgba.com

.