Commonwealth Games medallist Craig Bowler has urged people to embrace the open and inclusive nature of bowls this Bowls’ Big Weekend.

Bowls’ Big Weekend is taking place between 26-29 May, with clubs across the country opening their doors to new players hoping to give the sport a go for the first time.

Triple amputee Bowler first tried the sport around 15 years ago, having been introduced to the sport by a family friend after an attempted suicide attempt that saw him lose two legs and an arm.

And Bowler, who won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games last summer, believes that if he can play bowls, anyone can.

He said: “When you’re someone like me, and people are like ‘I don’t think I can do it’ - just look at me. I’ve got no legs and one arm, and I have a bronze medal.

“I think that’s why we need to get people to play bowls, because if you put your mind to it, people can do anything. People like myself show that in the sport, and that’s what we’re hoping to do with Bowls’ Big Weekend.

“Bowls is a massive sport for anybody. It doesn’t matter what background you come from, what colour your skin is, what disability you’ve got, how old you are or how young you are - it’s for absolutely everyone.

“Most sports, a lot of them are only for young players, where with bowls it’s so huge and massive for all ages. It gives people the opportunity that if they just want to take it up for a social life, you can do it and go from there.

“The amount of people I’ve met through the bowls world is unbelievable. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done, and I’d advise anyone if they wanted to give it a go, then try.”

Bowler and the rest of the Team England squad captivated the nation last summer at the Commonwealth Games, with millions tuning in to follow action in Leamington Spa - the sport’s spiritual home.

And Bowler hopes that the boost the sport received last summer will continue this weekend, with bowling greens across the country open for people to use.

Bowler added: “To have the Commonwealth Games in our country to represent bowls, around 20,000 people signed up for bowls clubs just watching the Commonwealth Games.

“That’s what it’s all about and it’s so important to get other players in and try it. It’s great, and I think with the Commonwealth Games and doing Bowls’ Big Weekend every year, I think we need to carry on doing that and doing some fun stuff with them.

“This Bowls’ Big Weekend is all around the country.. We’ve got 2000 bowls’ greens in England, so it really can be for everyone. It’s so important to get other people involved and have fun with it.”

To find your nearest participating club and sign up for a free session go to bowlsbigweekend.com