Learning Disabilities Indoor Bowls International Series for the Munro Cup at York and District indoor bowls club 25^th and 26^th April 2023, is well into the schedule of pre event organising and the count-down is on. England, who won the first event in Falkirk in 2019 will be hoping to re-ignite the flame that lifted them the first title back before covid stuck us all and shut all sports down. Scotland will have something to say about that though and will be eager to defend the title they won in April 2022 in Cardiff. Wales will have a say in proceedings too as it was noticeable last year in Cardiff 2022 how much the players games had improved with such an event to aspire to be selected for.

Practice day is Tuesday 24^th when all three competing countries get time to familiarise themselves with the pace of the carpet and their surroundings. This year at York and District on the Tuesday we also have a “come and have a go” session 2pm to 6pm where anyone keen to have a go and get involved can come and have a bit of fun and try the game out supported by LDIBIS volunteers.

Then it’s down to business on Wednesday 26^th April where, after a superb opening ceremony at 9am, the teams let battle commence and competition gets underway. Thursday 27^th and the teams face the final sessions in the International Series where the winners will be decided and will lift the Munro Cup aloft at the closing ceremony. Closing ceremony is approx 3.15pm and the big question? Who will be handing out the medals this year? The surprise is safe for now, but it will be a well-liked well known super bowler who shakes the hands of every athlete.

Come on down and support these amazing athletes. There will be some exceptional team performances and the atmosphere guaranteed to captivate all who have witnessed these athletes.

Event Manager Janice Gower said, “We are delighted the series is going from strength to strength and York and District will provide a superb stage for these athletes. It will be a knife edge that decides the 2023 Munro Cup. At LDIB we are fortunate to have a great team of dedicated volunteers who support the event and the athletes. This year we have a new Head Official in Colin Stuart, who is not only a well-known International Technical Officer and appears on Bowls YouTube events, is also enthusiastic about the event and the athletes and has some great ideas to move LDIB forward. With new Support Manager Ross Crawford on board as well who looks after our amazing volunteers and at the event will ably assist Operations Manager Richard Maddieson and Venue Manager Karen Coutts. We have a team that can lead indoor bowls for learning disabilities to great heights.”

The event, this year, also has a dedicated event photographer and results co-ordinator. Our new merchandising range is also going to be launched in York with, of course, the usual raffles and facebook auctions which make our events happen. The venue has ample free parking, a well-stocked bar and fabulous catering which will be open to all throughout the event.

If you feel you can support the event in any way, please get in touch. The event has to rely on donations and support from individuals and companies  to be run and our event volunteers fund themselves. So really anything small or large is greatly appreciated. Please get in touch with Richard Maddieson Operations Manager on rmaddieson@gmail.com or message us on Facebook.