LOCAL bowls clubs have backed a call by former Olympian Kirsty Wade for public support for sports clubs. The former Commonwealth Games champion told The Brecon & Radnor Express trying to save money by cutting public support for sports clubs was likely to only end up costing the National Health Service. The Llandrindod Wells raised athlete urged Powys County Council to consider the benefits of keeping an ageing population active when cutting support to sporting clubs. The council has reduced maintenance it carries out to sports pitches, including cricket fields and lawn bowls pitches - passing on extra costs to clubs. The authority is also asking them to take on the management of facilities including club houses. Mrs Wade said: "When physical activity levels drop you're going to be losing a lot of money somewhere else and that's going to be in the National Health." Dilwyn Davies, secretary of Builth Wells Bowling Club, backed the former middle distance runner. He said: "That was always our argument." Bob Cule, of Crickhowell Bowls Club, said it had written to various representatives and organisations making that point. The council has said it recognised the benefits of outdoor recreation but had to cut existing budgets to maintain frontline services. For the full story see this week's Brecon & Radnor Express - on sale now