ATTEMPTS to broaden the appeal of lawn bowls have hit a snag with the bowling greens of Queensland proving to be a little conservative when it comes to the latest fashions.
World champion Julie Keegan was told to change her Bowls Australian-sanctioned attire during the state women`s championships at Wellers Hill, because it was deemed "too revealing".
Ms Keegan, 43, from the Sunshine Coast, was told by an umpire to change into something "more appropriate" because complaints had been received about her "skort".
Ms Keegan told officials it was an approved garment but she has decided not to wear it to any of her matches since the incident.
"It was amazing," she said yesterday of being confronted on the green.
"They basically told me that it was too revealing and that I should get changed, despite the fact it has a Bowls Australia logo on it and is approved (by the nation`s governing body)."
Ms Keegan and fellow world fours gold medallist Kelsey Cottrell modelled the "skorts" - a cross between shorts and a skirt - during the Australian Open in Melbourne in February.
Bowls Australia`s Women In Sport program was developed more than 18 months ago in an attempt to arrest the declining participation rates among females.
BA chief executive officer Neil Dalrymple said yesterday the attire was established to curb one of the biggest factors preventing females from taking up bowls - strict dress regulations.
"From the workshops we have conducted, not to mention the feedback we have received, the evidence strongly suggests that females are unlikely to take up the game due to this point (dress regulations)," he said.
Ms Keegan, who early this week was a member of the winning state fours team, will partner fellow Australian player Lynsey Armitage in a pairs semi-final at Hamilton this morning.
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