We are encouraging bowls clubs across the country to come together to mark Armed Forces Day on June 27.
This is our opportunity to recognise and celebrate the dedication, service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community.
From serving personnel and reservists to veterans and their families, Armed Forces Day is a moment to say thank you — and bowls is perfectly placed to do just that, through a strong sense of community, inclusivity and friendship.
Celebrating Clubs Nationwide
During the w/c June 20, we invite bowls clubs to take part in our celebrations in whatever way works best for them.
Whether it’s dedicating a match, hosting a specially themed bowls session, inviting local veteran’s groups to the green for a mini open day or simply flying the flag and having a cuppa, we want to see your displays of support.
Some clubs may choose to link Armed Forces Day to an existing fixture or social event; others may wish to connect their activity to Bowls’ Big Summer using it as a great way to welcome new faces through the door.
There’s no right or wrong way to celebrate.
A Sport for Everyone
For members of the Armed Forces community, particularly veterans, bowls provides opportunities to stay active, remain social and stay engaged with the local community.
The accessibility of our sport is also crucial, as it offers a low-impact window into sport where Armed Forces members can apply their natural teamwork and focus.
To read first hand the way bowls can postivively impact the life of a military veteran, see Steve Watson’s story below:
This Armed Forces Day, I want to share how I got into bowls after over two decades serving in the Royal Navy.
Those who have served or still serve in the Armed Forces have a unique bond of camaraderie from the first day to last day. When you are thrown together with a group of people of all ages, ethnicities and from all walks of life to become a team with a common aim, be it during peace time or at war, the band of brothers and sisters stands together.
I was lucky throughout my 23 years in the Royal Navy that sport helped me through the good and bad times, but the problems started when I left the services and entered civilian life. I found it hard to adapt to a typical ‘nine-to-five’ lifestyle and, of course, not being part of a close-knit team anymore.
Many service personnel go through similar difficulties after leaving the service, and it can go either way, but as I said: I was lucky. I was introduced to sport of bowls during an open day at a club five minutes from my house, and I quickly realised it was one of a few sports where three generations of the same family can play sport together. At any age, ability, indoor or outdoor, at a club or even in community centres and church halls – bowls is playable. I quickly made friendships and the support network and programmes facilitated the improvement of my individual skills, self-worth and feeling of isolation. It gave me back the confidence to be part of a team again.
This Armed Forces Day, why not give the game of bowls a go? You will be surprised how welcoming the clubs across England are. There will always be someone to assist you when you’re having a laugh throwing a round thing with a bias towards another yellow thing 30 metres away!
The sport soon becomes addictive and super competitive and takes you back to the days of camaraderie.
Steve ‘Soapy’ Watson
Want to Get Involved?
To capture the spirit of your celebrations, we encourage clubs to take plenty of photos of their Armed Forces Day events and activities.
Photos will then be shared on Bowls England social media during the following week, to showcase the unity between the bowls community in supporting our armed forces.
Ways to get involved:
- Wear red, white and blue for a session or a day
- Clubhouse decorations with flags/bunting etc
- Play themed music in the clubhouse
- Red vs Blue match
- Invite local service personnel for a cuppa
- Bring-a-Friend evening (with an Armed Forces focus)
- Open Day or Taster Session aimed at service members in the community
- Short tribute or moment of recognition before a game
- Display Board highlighting Armed Forces Day
We invite clubs to also make full use of our FREE Bowls’ Big Summer promotional materials to help advertise events locally and to maximise community involvement.
Club Photo Challenge – Win Big!
We are delighted that New Age Bowls are sponsoring our Armed Forces Day celebrations.
As such, we a running a competition through w/c June 20 that will reward the club with the most inspiring, fun or creative photos of their Armed Forces Day event or activity.
What is up for grabs?
- New Age Bowls Package (Bowls, Target, Scoreboard, Scorecards, Referee Set)
- Eight tickets to the 2026 National Bowls Finals on August 16 at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa
- Lunch Vouchers and a Bowls Bash experience on the hallowed turf at Victoria Park
And the Winner is…
“Winning the Armed Forces Day competition is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved at Kingscoft Bowls Club. We are delighted our efforts to recognise the Armed Forces and engage with the local community have been rewarded. It is testament to the teamwork and community spirit at the club. We recommend clubs to give it a go – you never know you might win!”Claire Jay, Entertainment Manager, Kingscroft BC“Here at Hook & Southborough, community and belonging are as as much a part of a bowls club as playing bowls. We were thrilled to come together with our 1940’s theme party to celebrate all those who have served or continue to serve in the Armed Forces. We are delighted that Bowls England have awarded us a wonderful prize for coming second in the competition.”
Members of Hook & Southborough BC