There's a special kind of thrill that comes with watching top-level bowls. Whether it's the dead-still silence before a crucial final bowl at Potters or the summer festival atmosphere at the National Championships, these events are the pinnacle of our sport. I’ve been lucky enough to attend and even play in a few tournaments over my 30 years in bowls, and I can tell you, the skill on display is simply breathtaking!
Watching the professionals is not only fantastic entertainment, but it's also one of the best ways to learn and get inspired. And for those with a competitive streak, the journey from local club player to national contender is a challenging but incredibly rewarding path.
This guide will give you a tour of the must-see tournaments on the UK calendar and show you how you can either grab a seat to watch the action or even take the first steps to compete yourself.
The Crown Jewels: Key Annual Tournaments
The UK bowls calendar is packed with events, but a few stand out as the most prestigious. These are the ones the pros want to win and the fans flock to see.
The World Indoor Championships (Potters Resort)
This is the big one! Held every January at Potters Resort in Norfolk, this is the premier event of the indoor season. The atmosphere is electric, with the famous blue carpet, television cameras, and packed crowds creating an intense arena.
- What it is: The highest-profile professional tournament in the sport, featuring singles, pairs, and mixed pairs events.
- Why watch: You’ll see the best players on the planet, like Katherine Rednall, Paul Foster, and Alex Marshall, battle it out for the coveted world titles. It's fast, it's dramatic, and it's an incredible spectacle.
The Bowls England National Finals (Leamington Spa)
Known as the "Wimbledon of Bowls," the National Finals are the glorious culmination of the English outdoor season. Held over several weeks in August and September at Victoria Park in Royal Leamington Spa, it has a wonderful festival feel.
- What it is: The final stage for dozens of national competitions. Players have to win through club, county, and regional rounds to earn their spot.
- Why watch: It’s a true celebration of grassroots bowls. You see club heroes competing on the same hallowed turf as established international stars. The standard is exceptionally high across all events.
The National Championships of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland
Just like in England, the other home nations hold their own fantastic national finals, which are the pinnacle of their respective outdoor seasons.
- Scottish National Championships: Held at the National Centre for Bowling, Northfield, in Ayr.
- Welsh National Championships: Hosted by the Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club.
- Irish National Championships: Organised by the Irish Bowling Association, with venues rotating.
These events carry immense prestige and showcase the very best talent from each nation, with passionate local support.
The Commonwealth Games
Held every four years, the Commonwealth Games is the biggest multi-sport stage for lawn bowls. It's where our home nations get to compete against other world powerhouses like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa for gold. It's a must-watch event when it comes around!
The Player's Journey: How to Qualify
Ever wondered how players end up at the National Finals? For most competitions, it’s a long but rewarding journey that starts right at your local club.
The Traditional Route:
- Club Competition: You enter a competition at your registered club (e.g., Men's Singles, Ladies Pairs).
- County Qualifiers: As the club winner, you advance to the county-level knockout stages, playing against other club winners.
- National Finals: If you win your county competition, you earn the incredible honour of representing your county at the National Finals in Leamington (or the equivalent in other home nations).
Open Qualifiers:
Some major events, like the World Indoor Championships, also hold "Play-Offs" or qualifying tournaments. These events are open to any affiliated bowler to enter for a fee, offering a direct route to compete against the professionals. It's a tough challenge, but it gives everyone a chance to dream big!
How to Be a Great Spectator
Going to watch a major tournament is a fantastic day out. Here are a few tips to make the most of it.
- Getting Tickets: For the World Indoor Champs at Potters, tickets and packages are sold directly through their website and sell out fast! For the National Finals, it's often free to enter the venue, but you may need to buy tickets for the main show-rink seating.
- Where to Sit: At a big outdoor event like Leamington, you can wander between the five greens to catch different matches. Find a good vantage point behind the bank to see how the 'head' develops.
- Spectator Etiquette: The golden rule is to be silent and still when a player is on the mat. Applaud good shots from both sides, but avoid any distracting movements or loud conversations during play.
How to Enter a Competition
Ready to throw your hat in the ring? Here’s what you need to know.
- Become a Member: You must be an affiliated member of a bowls club that is registered with its national governing body (e.g., Bowls England).
- Check Your Club's List: At the start of the season, your club will post a list of all the national competitions you can enter. Put your name down for your chosen events before the deadline.
- Pay the Entry Fee: There will be a small entry fee for each competition.
- Know the Dress Code: For most national competitions, a specific dress code applies (e.g., club colours, whites). Make sure you have the correct bowls clothing and approved footwear.
Following the Action from Home
Can't make it in person? It’s easier than ever to keep up with the results.
- Live Streams: Many major events, including the World Indoor Championships and latter stages of the National Finals, are streamed live on platforms like YouTube or the BBC Sport website.
- Social Media: Follow the social media pages of the national governing bodies (Bowls England, Bowls Scotland, etc.). They provide live scoring updates, photos, and interviews throughout the tournaments.
- Specialist Magazines: Publications like Bowls International offer in-depth coverage and analysis of all the big events.
Whether you’re watching from the stands or competing on the green, getting involved with the UK's top tournaments is an amazing experience. It’s where you see the sport played at its highest level and feel the true passion of the bowls community. Why not plan a trip to watch one this year? You won’t be disappointed!