Dear Colleagues,
The retiming of the WD Benevolent Triples competition last year (I moved it into September), seemed to work well.  So this year I settled on the equivalent date, Friday 16 September 2022.  Gloucester City and Gloucester Spa Bowling Clubs are again providing the venue.  [ Even if it is your club Finals Weekend, there is every likelihood that any games you need to play can be scheduled on the two main days, rather than Friday evening !]  
Anyway, lots of people have found this a very pleasant and relaxing day of bowling, with the added possibility of winning a national title without even going outside our own county !
Would Secretaries and WD Delegates please ensure that this information is once more circulated within your club and hopefully displayed on the notice board.  Many thanks indeed.  All details on the sheet supplied.
Regards,
Lindsay
WD Secretary

The PDF link below will give you a list of forthcoming dates for the internal club competitions. Download it to view or print.

​Don't forget to check out who you are playing and book the game if you are first on the list before the close date for each round. You may need to book the rink too, in case others want to play their matches at the same time :-)

Friday evening of 15th October 2021 saw us all collect together for an evening of fun, food, skittles and trophy presentations for the outstanding winners of this year's inter-club competitions.

Many of the matches were close run so huge respect to all who took part.

For the results and a collage of the evening and of the matches that took place in September click on this link: https://www.nailsworthmillsbowls.club/nmbc-finals-2021.html

On the hottest day of the year so far - taking in lots of liquids - one team emerged as the clear winners.

​Congratulations and well played to Steve, Julie and Goff.

Here are a few photos taken following the M Holbrow Plate Competition on Friday evening 16th July.
 
The defending holders Barry and John were unable to retain the Plate and Julia and Goff are the new holders.

The photos show the competition entrants, the presentation from our Chairman Paul to winners Julia and Goff, Julia and Goff with the trophy and worthy runners-up Paul and Trish.

https://www.bowlsengland.com/get-yourselves-ready-bowls-is-back/

Step 1 From 29th March Triples and Fours can play on alternate rinks with a maximum of 24 on the green at one time.

Future plan (confirmation expected one week previous to step):

Step 2 From 12th April - Changing rooms can open and travel restrictions eased

Step 3 From 17th May - Larger groups able to gather at clubs and inside catering permitted with restrictions.

Step 4 From 21st June - All restrictions expect to be lifted.

As you will be aware, this is a national initiative offering Bowls England affiliated clubs the opportunity to promote our welcoming and socially-distanced sport and attract new members.
We know that 20% of new bowlers join our sport on the back of open weekends, that our clubs want support to help recruit new players and that there are plenty of people out there who would love to have a go at bowls.  We will be waiving 2021 affiliation fees for any brand new bowler joining a club on the back of the National Open Weekend.
Affiliated clubs who sign up will be able to access FREE resources, including bowls-specific workshops to help run a great event and grow your club. In addition, publicity material and creative resources for social media channels, websites and within your local community will be made available. It will be supported by a national marketing campaign to help raise awareness of the events across the country, and some clubs will get a visit from an England Commonwealth Games Squad bowler.
More information and registration details will be coming out very soon.
We hope this helps update you on the current position.  The summer will feel a little different, as so much of life has done in recent times, but our overriding feeling is of positivity that our season will be able to start on time, that bowlers at all levels will be playing and that we will see new bowlers on our greens this summer.  We thank you in advance for appreciating what we are trying to achieve and we hope we can all work together to make this a memorable season for all the right reasons.
Finally, just to reiterate, please be patient with us and your county in terms of receiving more detailed information.  We want to provide this as soon as possible but government approvals have to be sought and work has to be done.

Here is the link:
www.bowlsengland.com/bowls-big-weekend-to-showcase-sport-for-all/

Best wishes,
 Matt Wordingham
Content Officer
​Bowls England

We are committed to ensuring our sport is diverse and inclusive, to enable everyone to have the opportunity to achieve their potential and for all players feel welcome irrespective of their background or circumstances. Bowls England, the English Indoor Bowling Association, British Crown Green Bowling Association and Disability Bowls England are working in collaboration with the Bowls Development Alliance on a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy.
Despite its uncomplicated nature, we understand that there are too many practical and perceived barriers to getting involved in our sport. We must be truly accessible to new players and tackle deep-rooted inequality in sports activity if we are to grow the numbers of new people engaging with our sport and the diversity of our participant base.  We believe a diverse and inclusive sport promotes and sustains a sense of belonging, and we value and respect the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of living amongst our volunteers and participants.
Bowls is one sport, and we are committed to becoming more diverse and inclusive with a collaborative approach across our codes.  By setting up a new Inclusion Advisory Group to support and guide us in the roll out of our future strategy, we hope to accelerate our work in this area and benefit from expertise that will educate us and shape our thinking.
Bowls Inclusion Advisory Group – Role Description
Bowls Inclusion Advisory Group – Terms of Reference
To apply to be part of our Inclusion Group please email a CV to Jobs@playbowls.org and include a covering letter outlining the reasons for your interest in this position and any supporting skills and experience. For more information on the role in advance please contact lisa@playbowls.org.
All applications should be submitted by 12 noon on Tuesday 6th April. If interviews are required, these will take place over the phone or on Microsoft Teams at a convenient date.
 
Matt Wordingham

Content Officer
Bowls England