Men & Ladies Under 18 Trials

Ladies Under 25 Trials

Venue:                Llandrindod Wells Bowls Club

Arrival:                9:00am

Time:                   9:30am

Date:                   Sunday 19^th May 2024

Dress Code:       Black Shorts/trousers & club top.

Congratulations to the following players have been selected for consideration international events for the Calendar Year 2024

Ladies Under 25 & Under 18 Trial Selection

Men’s Under 18 Trial Side

Congratulations to the following players who have been selected for the Welsh trials this year.  You can see the mens team and womens teams by clicking the links.

Welsh Lawn Bowls are looking to appoint a safeguarding officer, for more information and details of how to apply click on the LINK.

More sad news this week as we learn of the passing of former WBA President Wynford Smith, he was a stalwart for bowls in the Carmarthen area both indoor and out and a former president and life member of the Barbarians.  Our condolences are sent to all of his family and friends.

The funeral has been arranged for Friday 5th April, 2:00 pm at Felinfoel Holy Trinity Church, 36 Park Road, Felinfoel. SA14 8BH.

British Isles nations announce packed summer of internationalbowls.

We are delighted to confirm plans for British Isles Bowlsevents for 2024.

The season kicks off with the British Isles Championships andInternationals at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa, England from Wednesday 26thJune to Sunday 30th June. Players from England, Ireland, Jersey, Scotland and Wales will come together to battle for individual and team honours across five days of action-packed bowls.Taking the lead from World Bowls there will be a change to format at this year’sInternationals to include all disciplines being executed by a 15 player team across the men’s and women’s event.

This will be followed by the U18 Internationals at Belmont, Belfast, Ireland on Sunday 20th and Monday 21st July. This event continues to provide international action for Britain’s top young players.

To top the season off the fiercely competitive British Isles U25 Internationals will also take place in Belfast on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September, and in line with previous years a men’s women’s and a joint team trophy are up for grabs.

England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will participate in both the U18 and U25 events.

Dates for your Diary:

Wednesday 26thand Thursday 27thJune: British Isles Championships

Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa, England

Friday 28th to Sunday 30th June: British Isles Internationals

Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa, England

Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd July: U18 International Series

Belmont BC, Belfast, Ireland

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September: U25 International Series

Belmont BC, Belfast, Ireland

Looking ahead to this years Competitions, Welsh Lawns Bowls Secretary, Chris Gilmour said, “ The talented Welsh players, have a great opportunity to showcase there skills against some of the best bowlers in the British Isles, the excitement to see Wales once again compete in multiple disciplines on the international stage…Let’s Bring Success Back Home To Wales #TeamCymru

The Welsh Lawn Bowls team managers, Anwen Button and Chris Ashman, have put together a four year plan to give our Welsh bowlers the best chance of success.  To view their plan, click the link.

It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of Mr. Len Morgan, past president of the WBA and a life member.

Len was a stalwart of Monmouthshire bowls too serving as president, life member and selector for many year.

Rest in Peace Len.

Announcement of Welsh Team Managers & Selectors.

The Executive Committee have made a decision on the following vacancies.

Team Manager - Ladies Section.

Congratulations to Anwen Button on her appointment as Welsh Team Manager.

Anwen, will be supported by 3 Selectors

Helen Rhian Jones
Kath Evans
Wendy Price

Team Manager - Mens Section

Congratulations to Chris Ashman on his appointment as Welsh Team Manager.

Chris, will be supported by 3 Selectors

Ian Slade
Wayne Letman
Adrian Berry.

The Executive Committee & Welsh Bowls wish you luck for the forthcoming season.

On behalf of the Welsh Lawn Bowls Executive.

Chris Gilmour
Hon. Secretary

Announcement Of Officers.

Welsh Lawn Bowls Executive Committee have appointed its new officers.

Chris Gilmour - Beaufort - Hon.Secretary

Adam King - Gilfach Bargoed - Assistant Secretary

Jean Kimberley - Ynysddu - Assistant Secretary

Kath Evans - Carmarthen - Treasurer

Welsh Lawn Bowls would like to wish them well and ask all clubs, counties and players to give their full support as we continue to drive change within the outdoor game.

WELSH LAWN BOWLS.

Applications are invited from interested individuals who must be current members of a Welsh Lawn Bowls Club for the following posts.

1. Men’s Team Manager.
2. Ladies Team Manager.
3. Men’s selectors, up to six.
4. Ladies’ selectors, up to six.

Applications along with a bowls resume should be sent to any of the following by 12.00hrs on Sunday 21^st January 2024.

John Phillips.

John Manfeild.

Adam King.

Wynne Evans.

Kath Evans.

The elections for these posts will take place at the Executive Meeting on Thursday 25^th January 2024.

WELSH LAWN BOWLS

TEAM MANAGERS JOB DESCRIPTION.

The Team Manager in conjunction with the selectors shall have responsibility for selecting any individual players or teams to represent Welsh Lawn Bowls at National or International Events.

The Team Manager will report to Welsh Lawn Bowls Executive Committee.

Term of Office Four Years, subject to an annual review.

Responsibilities.

1. To always be aware of the duty of fairness which must be applied in the assessment and selection process for all events.
2. Consult with the selectors and county secretaries to gain as much information as possible regarding the pool of county players available for selection.
3. Put in place an accredited assessment process for use by the selectors and produce a transparent assessment form.
4. Be part of the selection panel
5. Attend County matches and National Finals, make out an attendance rota for selectors to attend county matches.

Skills Required.

1. Must be discrete regarding the selection of players and have discretion and confidentiality in all aspects of the role.
2. Must be impartial and have sound judgement in selecting players.
3. Must be honest and open when providing feedback to players, selectors, and officers of Welsh Lawn Bowls.
4. The ability to put in place a four-year strategic plan for player development.
5. To provide written reports for the Executive Committee following National and International Events or Competitions.
6. Be able to work well as part of a team.
7. To have knowledge of WLB training strategies.
8. Be computer literate and have access to a mobile telephone.
9. Must be available to attend all international events.
10. Have firsthand experience of International Bowls Events.

WELSH LAWN BOWLS (WLB)

Welsh Lawn Bowls is the sole Governing Body for Outdoor Flat Green Bowls in Wales.

TREASURER’S ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Treasurer has a role to oversee all aspects of the financial management, working closely with other members of the Executive Committee of the WLB, to safeguard the WLB finances.

It is important to note that although the Treasurer ensures that these responsibilities are met, much of the work may be delegated to a finance sub-committee.

In summary, the Treasurer is responsible for: -

Given these responsibilities, the Treasurer typically acts as an information and reference point for the Chair and other WLB Executive members, clarifying financial implications of proposals, outlining the current financial status and retrieving relevant documentation.

Additional Responsibilities of the Treasurer: -

Funding:

Planning and budgeting:

Financial Reporting:

Banking, bookkeeping and record keeping:

All in all, the WLB Treasurer will be responsible for ensuring that effective financial systems and procedures have been established and are being consistently followed and are in line with best practice and legal requirements.

Apply to John Phillips, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or John Manfield, 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WELSH LAWN BOWLS

INAUGURAL MEETING THURSDAY 14^TH DECEMBER 2023

at MERTHYR TYDFIL INDOOR BOWLS STADIUM COMMENCING at 14.00HRS.

AGENDA.

1. Welcome to the meeting from outgoing WBA & WWBA Officers.
2. Election of the President Arwel Edwards.
3. Election of the Vice President.
4. To confirm the nomination of the Secretary as recommended by the interview panel.
5. To confirm the nomination of the Treasurer as recommended by the interview panel.
6. To confirm the nominations of the Two Assistant Secretaries as recommended by the interview panel.
7. Proposed Amendment to the Constitution remove the section relating to the Team Manager and Selectors and place this in appendix A, this will allow changes to be made without waiting for the Annual General Meeting.
8. Set up the following sub-committees.

Finance.

Competitions.

Constitution Review.

9. Approve dates for meeting of the Executive Committee.
10. British Isles Bowls Senior Event Report.

In accordance with the constitution of Welsh Lawn Bowls, each member club is allowed to send one delegate to the meeting.

As we approach the deadline day for unification the WBA and WWBA have been made aware of uncertainties amongst our grass roots members, in order to address those uncertainties officers of both associations are publishing this newsletter which we hope  will put members minds at rest and enable unification to take place smoothly.

What is Unification and how will it work.

The WBA and WWBA are currently singles sex organisations, in order move the sport forward and to continue to access funding from Bowls Wales we need to join together into one organisation whose name will be Welsh Lawn Bowls.

This action will take place during December 2023 when at the respective Annual General Meetings of the WBA & WWBA notices of motion will be put forward to wind up both organisations and transfer their assets over to Welsh Lawn Bowls, an inaugural meeting of Welsh Lawn Bowls will be held as early as possible in December after our AGMs to put in place officers to run Welsh Lawn Bowls.

Officers and Committee Structure of Welsh Lawn Bowls.

Every effort will be made to ensure that all officers post and committees will be gender balanced but to ensure this we require both male and female bowlers to step forward to fill the post that will be advertised.

The initial officer’s structure is as follows.

President 2024 Female.

Secretary,

Assistant Secretary x 2.

Treasurer.

Safeguarding Officer.

When these officers are in place, they will work in conjunction with the Executive Committee to elect members to the sub-committee groups that will be required to run Welsh Lawn Bowls.

Executive Committee.

Each County will be entitled to send one delegate to the Executive Committee, which will be the County Secretary or elected delegate.

At present the men have ten counties whilst the ladies have eight counties, to ensure that gender equality is maintained the ladies will have the option of electing an additional two Executive Committee members from within their ranks, male bowlers will not be entitled to vote on this matter.

The long term aim of Welsh Lawn Bowls is to eventually bring the County Structure into line with each other, again this will be member lead.

Funding.

The funds of both organisations will be transferred by our existing treasurers into a new bank account set up in the name of Welsh Lawn Bowls, any future funding received from Bowls Wales will also be paid into the new bank account.

Competitions and Tournaments.

There are no planned changes to the way our competitions and tournaments will be structured at present, once the new organisation is up and running and bedded in members may wish to instruct the competitions sub-committee to carry out a review of our events, but this will be member lead and member agreed prior to any possible changes.

Overview.

Unification is a fantastic opportunity for lawn bowls in Wales to move forward, it is not a take over of one organisation by one group or another, following unification every member male or female will have equal rights and an equal vote, let us grasp this opportunity with both hands as the alternative is the possible loss of Bowls Wales funding which will be detrimental to Wales as a bowling nation.

2024.

Whilst none of our existing officers have put their names forward for election for the posts in the new organisation they will not be walking away the majority of them will be members of the Executive Committee and will be on hand to offer any guidance or advise the new officers structures call on.

The thoughts behind current officers not applying for the new posts were not to put off new people applying by thinking that the appointments were already a done deal

Questions.

If you have any questions that you require answers to prior to the AGMs please contact any off the following people who have sat on the Unification Group and should be able to put your minds at rest.

John Manfield email     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ciss Jones email              This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

John Phillips email          This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kath Evans email             This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The British junior international series will be held in Llandrindod Wells this weekend 16/17 September.  Good luck to all competitors, you can find live scoring on this link.

in a rain affected weekend, the Welsh team played some great bowls with the women falling just short but the men retaining the title.  Congratulations to everyone who represented the Welsh team.

There are a number of vacancies with job descriptions available for people interested in running the new venture that is Welsh Lawn Bowls.  All the information you require is in the descriptions.

Applications can be sent to John Manfield or Ciss Jones.

Secretary

Treasurer

Assistant Secretaries

The final of the junior super 10 competition will take place next Saturday 9th September at Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club.  The final commences at 09:30 and will be contested between;

Mid Wales Bowling Association v South Glamorgan Bowling Association

BRITISH ISLES YOUTH U18 INTERNATIONALS: RESULTS

Over the weekend (August 5/6^th 2023), RTB Ebbw Vale Bowls Club hosted the British Isles Youth International Series. Teams were made up of six boys and six girls from each nation. In a very strong field of youth players the U18 Welsh side missed out on some important points which would contribute to the overall table. Congratulations to the Welsh team: C Dunne, E Mitchell, H Deem, K Dickinson, L Viles, R Thompson, B Flynn, J Mounty, C Gowen, R Day, J Davies, T Gunter. Team Managers: A Butten & T Leighton.

Results were as follows:

SESSION 1:

2 Bowl Triples

Wales 9-30 Scotland

Wales 23-12 Scotland

Wales 10-29 Scotland

Wales 10-22 Scotland

SESSION 2

2 Bowl Triples

Wales 18-15 England

Wales 12-18 England

Wales  9-16 England

Wales 21-13 England

SESSION 3 

2 Bowl Pairs

Wales 10-26 Scotland

Wales 13-15 Scotland

Wales 9-10 Scotland

Wales 14-15 Scotland

SESSION 4

3 Bowl Pairs

Wales 21-14 England

Wales 7-19 England

2 Bowl Rink

Wales 12-13 England

Wales 5-18 England

SESSION 5

2 Bowl Triples

Wales 15-18 Ireland

Wales 9-21 Ireland

Wales 12-20 Ireland

Wales 25-8 Ireland

SESSION 6

2 Bowl Pairs

Wales 23-9 Ireland

Wales 20-12 Ireland

2 Bowl Rink

Wales 14-15 Ireland

Wales 12-21 Ireland

Overall Standings: 

England: 31 points

Scotland: 29 points

Ireland: 22 points

Wales: 14 points

Semi Finals and Finals

Thursday. 17th

09:30  Open Triples semi final and Senior Pairs Semi final
13:00. Open Singles semi final

14:00 Ladies Singles semi final,  Mixed Pairs Final & Disability Triples Final

Friday. 18th.

09:30am. Open Fours  semi final, Open Pairs semi final, senior triples semi final and Senior Fours semi final. Ladies U25 Pairs semi final.

13:00 Senior Singles semi final and U25 Singles semi final

Saturdpay 19th 

09:30 U18 singles semi final

Monday 21st

Open mixed singles as scheduled.

The Finals to be played after a short break when semi finals are completed each day.

The Lawn Bowls Association of Hong Kong, China annually organizes the Hong Kong International Bowls Classic, the event will be held from 9th November, 2023 to 19th November, 2023. The following players have been selected to represent Wales at the event:

Alis Butten, Lampeter

Hannah Williams, Blue Anchor

Mark Harding, Ely Valley

Andrew Fleming, Machynlleth 

Congratulations to the Vale of Glamorgan U25 double rink team who won the Welsh title in Llandrindod last week.  Pictured here with WBA President David James, Vale Team manager Mike Prosser and Vale county secretary John Manfield.

Under18 Test Series – 5-6 August 2023

RTB Ebbw Vale BC,Wales

The following have been selected to represent Wales at the series this year

We wish them all the best

Billy Flynn – Pontrhydyfan

Jack Mounty – Gilfach Bargoed

Celyn Gowan – Ely Valley

Rhys Day – Tenby

Jack Davies – Thomastown

Tal Gunter – Merthyr West End

Terry Leighton

Development Administrator

Welsh Bowling Association

World Bowls have made further changes to the contraversial new laws.  See link for details.

Team for the second trial can now be found on the mens trial teams tab.

Congratulations to the following players who have been selected to represent Wales in the 2023 World Bowls Championships

29^th August- 10^th Sept Gold Coast, Australia

Bethan Russ

Laura Daniels

Melanie Thomas

Sara Nicholls

Ysie White

Coach/ Assistant Team Manager Caroline Taylor

Team Manager Anwen Butten

In a side game of four or six rinks should a player deliberately stop a bowl in motion before it reaches the head then that rink will be penalised 50 shots and the relevant number of points available for winning the rink.

In a singles, pairs, triples or fours games any player breaking the law will forfeit the game.

Stopping a bowl that has passed the head and is going to enter the ditch or leave the confines of the rink will not be deemed as breaking Law 37.1.3.

The ladies squads have been announced and are available under the Teams, Ladies, Senior / Junior menus.

Please find attached a copy of the job description for the new Welsh Lawn Bowls positions of National Secretary and Treasurer. 

If there is anyone interested in applying for either of these roles please could they send a CV plus letter of intent to either the

WWBA Secretary cissjones@ sky.com or WBA Assistant Secretary John Manfield This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Closing Date for applications is 12:00 midday on Friday 26th May 2023. Any application received after that time will not be considered, interview dates to be notified.

For Information present incumbents are not applying.

WBA & WWBA UNIFICATION NEWSLETTER.

APRIL 2023.

Over the last 12 months officers from the WBA and WWBA have been busy working on the framework for unification and the setting up of Welsh Lawn Bowls.

At their respective Annual General Meetings members of both organisations voted in favour of the proposed new constitution and agreed that a small group of officers would look at agreeing job descriptions for the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the new organisation.

In March this year those job descriptions were agreed and signed off by both Executive Groups.

In order to allay any misgivings that members of both associations might have about unification a representative group of officers met via Zoom to discuss any possible sticking points.

One of the main concerns raised was around representation and would unification result in a take- over by the men, following a discussion it was agreed by the group that the ladies and men would have equal representation on the Executive Committee and that all officers posts and sub committees would be wherever possible gender balanced.

The group further confirmed that within the new organisation the current structure of tournaments and competitions would be retained.

A timetable for progress to unification was agreed and is as indicated below.

The advertisement for the posts of Secretary and Treasurer will be posted on the website and circulated to all county secretary’s early in May, with the closing date for applications set as the middle of June.

The WBA and WWBA will elect four panel members, two men and two ladies to carry out the short listing for both posts, this will take place during July. The panel will be chaired by an independent chairperson to be agreed by the WBA and WWBA in advance of the shortlisting and interviews.

If any member would like to suggest suitable individuals who are qualified for this post please notify your National Secretary.

Interviews of suitable candidates for the posts of Secretary and Treasurer will take place during September.

In December 2023 both the WBA and WWBA will hold what should be their final Annual General Meetings with notices of motion being put to both groups to wind up the WBA and WWBA providing that these votes are successful the WBA and WWBA will go out of existence.

Within seven days of these meeting the inaugural meeting of Welsh Lawn Bowls should take place at a time and venue agreed by members.

At this meeting the following actions will need to take place: -

1. The election of the President for 2024. (Female)
2. The Election of the Vice President for 2024. (Male)
3. The election of the Secretary, nominated by the interview panel.
4. The election of the Treasurer, nominated by the interview panel.
5. The election of sub-committees as set out in the constitution these should be gender balanced.

Officers of both associations have published this newsletter to encourage members to move forward positively for the benefit of Welsh Lawn Bowls, unification is essential if we are to move forward and prosper and for the benefit of our sport of bowls.

There will be some testing times ahead for the people tasked with running the new organisation, previous experience has shown us this but as long as we all are prepared to work together to overcome any local difficulties that may arise we will come out of this a lot stronger together.

Officers of both associations will be happy to listen to and answer any questions members may have.

Following unification every member both male and female will be treated equally and with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Press Release.

Wales World Bowls Championship Team.

The following players have been selected to represent Wales at this year's World Championships in Australia.

Singles Daniel Salmon.

Pairs Daniel Salmon and Jarred Breen.

Triples Owain Dando, Chris Klefenz and Ross Owen.

Fours Owain Dando, Chris Klefenz, Ross Owen and Jarred Breen.

Reserve Mark Harding.

The Welsh Bowling Association would like to congratulate the player who have been selected and wish them well in Australia.

Just a reminder that all entries for the mixed competitions, singles and pairs must be in before next week.

The calendars are available on the website in the site calendar and as a downloadable copy for those who require them.

Ladies Calendar.

Mens Calendar.

BRITISH ISLES SCHEDULE AGREED FOR 2023

The WWBA is pleased to advise that the Home Nations have agreed a competition schedule and format for the 2023 seasonwhich includes Senior and Junior Internationals, British Isles Championships and under 18 Test Match.

Read more ...