Bowitgee

Bowitgee is a traditional game played by the aboriginal people of Australia using a ball made from paper bark and tied firmly with string. It is named after an aboriginal word which means 'going about'.

Age: Adults and older children

No. of players: 6 to 8

Equipment: One tennis ball (or similar)

Time: 5-10 minutes per round

Aim: To keep throwing the ball from one player to another.

1. To play the game choose a flat playing area about 10m x 20m (10 yards by 20 yards). Mark the edges and corners of the playing area, using stones, sticks or ropes.

2. Players throw the ball to each other while continuously running around within the playing area. They must not hand it to the next player but must throw the ball at least 3m (3 yards) each time.

3. To score, the players can count how many throws were made in a particular time frame (for example, 1 minute) or just have fun throwing and running.

Variation
Two groups could play on the same court at the same time with a ball for each group. You can score one point for each successful throw but subtract a point if the ball is accidentally thrown to a player on the other team.

Source: Adapted from "Yulunga Traditional Indigenous Games" by the Australian Sports Commission www.ausport.gov.au