Four Codes, One Autumn: Your BowlsWales Season Ahead
As summer draws to a close, attention across Welsh bowls turns to a busy autumn. BowlsWales is the national coordinating body for six member organisations — and whatever code you play, there's plenty on the horizon. Here's a look at what's coming up across the sport this season.
Welsh Lawn Bowls (WLB)
All eyes turn to Llandrindod Wells from 19–26 September, as the town hosts the European Bowls Championships. It's a huge week for outdoor bowls in Wales, with Welsh internationals competing on home soil in front of a home crowd. Competition runs across the full week, opening with the Women's Singles/Fours and Men's Pairs/Triples from 19–22 September, before switching to Women's Pairs/Triples and Men's Singles/Fours from 23–26 September, with finals on both Tuesday 22 and Saturday 26 September. Entries are up on the last Championships in several disciplines, including Women's Pairs and Men's Singles.
Welsh Indoor Bowls (WIB)
The indoor season is gearing up, with Championship and DJ Trophy fixtures now being finalised, alongside a programme of National Development Days. Two representatives, Owain Lebreton and Olivia Jackson, will head to the World Under 25s Singles and Mixed Pairs Championships in Hong Kong in late November. WIB has also appointed three new Team Managers: Ben Matthews (Under 18s), Emma Woodcock (Under 25s Women) and Richard Morgan (Senior Women's Team).
Welsh Crown Green Bowls Association (WCGBA)
Crown Green's showpiece event of the autumn is the Champion of Champions, taking place on 20 September in the Wrexham Area.
Welsh Short Mat Bowls Association (WSMBA)
The short mat calendar continues throughout the autumn and winter with county and national competitions. Wales will also head to the British Isles Championships in Belfast this November, with both the Premier and A Series teams in action against Ireland, England, Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Welsh Bowls Coaching Association (WBCA)
Club Coach Qualifying Courses continue to be scheduled regularly, running across South-East Wales, Mid-Wales, Montgomeryshire and Pembrokeshire throughout the autumn. The first course takes place at Sully Indoor Bowls Club on 20 and 27 September, for candidates from the Vale of Glamorgan.
Candidates need to have been a member of an officially affiliated club for a minimum of two years. Anyone eligible and interested should contact their Coaching Association Regional Co-ordinator, the Association Secretary or Chairman, or the BowlsWales office at enquiries@bowlswales.com, to register interest.
Welsh Bowls Umpires Association (WBUA)
Keep an eye on the Welsh Bowls Umpires Association website over the coming weeks, as more details are confirmed of autumn training, assessments, and recruitment activity.
Follow BowlsWales on Facebook and Instagram for updates throughout the season.