THESE new Rutherglen mums may just have the best measure on parenthood.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
They’re learning a new sport, meeting other new parents, getting outdoors and taking their young offspring with them.
Once a week they head to Rutherglen Bowling Club for Bowling with Babies.
Club members set up a couple of rinks for new mums to develop their bowling skills while the group looks out for each other’s babies.
There are hoops and other targets down one end of the green while the creche camps at the opposite end, well out of the way.
Rutherglen Bowling Club hosts Bowling with Babies every Thursday morning.
It is the first club outside metropolitan Melbourne to offer the Victorian program.
Rutherglen’s Courtny Skate joined Bowling with Babies for the first time two weeks ago.
Mum to Sophie, 3 months, and Kyden, 3, Ms Skate said it was a social outing for her and her children.
“It was a good chance to socialise and meet other people and new mums,” she said.
“Everyone looks out for each other’s children while we try out bowling.
“My three-year-old loved it; he ran amok!”
Rutherglen Bowling Club secretary John Ross said the community had embraced the Bowling with Babies four-week trial, which was offered for the first time five weeks ago.
He said the program was backed by Sport North East, Indigo Shire Council and Bowls Victoria.
“It ticks all of the boxes for new mums,” he said.
“Bowling is a non-contact sport and the mums can bring along their babies.
“It gets them out of the house and a lot of them have met people here they didn’t know before.
“Also we make the best coffee in Rutherglen!”
People can register for Bowling with Babies at sportnortheast.com.au/bwb or sign up at the Rutherglen Bowling Club on the day.
Mums and dads and their children under five are welcome.
Bowling with Babies now runs at Rutherglen on Thursday (10am-noon) but a change of day is being considered to suit more people.
It is hoped dads might be free to join too.