Welcome!
Bowls is one of the most inclusive sports there is. At Bowls England, we are determined to make bowls accessible to everyone. Bowls is truly a sport for all—regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or ability—and we are actively working to grow participation among disabled players. Whether you’re aiming for the international stage or simply enjoy a friendly roll-up, we’re here to help you get the most from the sport by:
- Providing you opportunities to play in Celebration Matches
- Providing information and support to help you have a great experience
- Signposting specialist equipment and providing guidance on the Laws of the Sport
- Connecting you to a local club. If you are looking for a club near you, head to our club finder below:
Bowling with a Disability: Celebration Matches
Throughout the season, we organise friendly celebration matches that bring together bowlers with a disability and their supporters. To take part simply email helen.lewis-wall@bowlsengland.com to register your interest and Helen will provide you with all the details you need.
| 17/05/2026 Stockton West End, Durham Result 66-71 |
| 06/06/2026 Olveston, Gloucestershire Result 57-45 |
| 20/06/2026 Charlbury, Oxfordshire Result 92-91 |
| 11/07/2026 Holywell-cum-Needingworth, Huntingdonshire Result 71-57 |
| 18/07/2026 Royal Household (Windsor), Berkshire Result 92-96 |
| 16/08/2026 National Finals Celebration, Royal Leamington Spa Result – VP Win |
| 06/09/2026 Friends of English Bowling @ Kingscroft, Leicestershire Result 62-66 |
| 20/09/2026 Essex VPs, Falcon Bowls Club, Essex Result 58-46 |
2027 Fixtures
23/05/2027 Hoddesdon & Rye, Hertfordshire 2pm
05/06/2027 Oakham BC, Leicestershire 2pm
27/06/2027 Richmond Park BC, Bournemouth 10am/2pm
03/07/2027 Torbay Country BC, Devon 2pm
10/07/2027 Royal Household, Berkshire 2.30pm
15/08/2027 Celebration Match, National Finals 12.30pm
09/2027 Friends of English Bowling TBC
Disability Celebration Friendlies, 2025
Register with us now
These matches are open to registered players and supporters, with players given priority. To register with us all you need to do is complete a registration form via one of the links below:
Bowling With A Disability – Player Sign Up
Bowling With A Disability – Supporter Sign Up
Disability Open Days
A cornerstone of our programme is our series of Disability Open Days. These events welcome local individuals, disability groups, and community organisations to explore the sport in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Visitors can try bowls first‑hand, learn about the game, and experience how accessible it can be. Experts from across the bowls community are on hand to demonstrate adaptive equipment, offer friendly guidance, and support anyone who would like to give the sport a go—whether they’re complete beginners or returning players.
It’s a relaxed, enjoyable way to discover the possibilities of inclusive bowls and connect with others in the community.
Next year you will find us at:
27th June 2027 – Richmond Park Bowls Club, Bournemouth
We look forward to seeing you at an event soon!
Support and Guidance
Laws of the Sport to support Players with Disabilities
We frequently receive questions about equipment and players with disabilities.
Most of these enquiries are already addressed within the Laws of the Sport.
Click the link below to find an an extract from the current Laws of the Sport that outlines the section on Players with Disabilities. It is provided as a helpful reference to support answering these questions.
Approved equipment to support Players with Physical Disabilities
Specialist equipment is available, ranging from specially designed wheelchairs and bowling arms used to propel the bowls up the green, as well as various aids to assist visually impaired participants.
This document summarises the aids approved by Bowls England and the English Indoor Bowling Association needing physical support:
Additional information for clubs and players relating to Purpose Designed Bowls Wheelchairs and their use on the green.
Guidance to support Players with Visual Impairments
This document summarises the support that is allowed for bowlers with a Visual Impairment. This document has been developed by our colleagues at VIBE – Visually Impaired Bowls England:
Guidance for Supporting Players with Hearing Impairments
This document is intended to provide practical guidance which will help players communicate effectively and respectfully with individuals who have a hearing impairment. The aim is to promote inclusion, improve understanding and ensure that all players can fully participate.
Always remember that individuals will have different preferences. Communication should be adapted accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Competitions
Current National Bowls Champions
Entries for the 2026 National Para competitions are now closed. The draws will appear on our competition portal:
Classification
To take part in major para events including the Para Home Nations, Commonwealth Games and World Championships—players must hold an official Classification. This assessment looks at your medical diagnosis and how it affects your functional ability on the green.
At present, Classification is available to bowlers with eligible Physical or Visual Impairments. To view our extensive guide on classification, click the link: Classification Guide
Visually Impaired (VI) Classification – To apply for or to renew VI classification please submit any classification papers to Judy Plater via the email address: JudyPlater@EIBA.co.uk
Physically disabled (PD) Classification – Players with Physical Disabilities can apply for classification at classification clinics which are held throughout the year.
Scheduled PD Clinics:-
Sunday 6th December 2026 – Mid Gloucester Indoor Bowls Club
Sunday 15th August 2027 – Avenue Bowls Club, Royal Leamington Spa
To apply for or to renew PD classification please email Judy Plater at JudyPlater@EIBA.co.uk
Note: The classification process for bowlers with Learning Disabilities (LD) is under review by World Bowls and the IBD (International Bowls for the Disabled), who oversee the international classification system.
Accessibility & Inclusion
Practical Inclusion Guidance for Bowls Clubs
This practical guide helps bowls clubs create a more welcoming and accessible environment for disabled players, members, volunteers and visitors.
It provides simple, achievable actions to support people with physical disabilities, sight loss, hearing loss, dementia, neurodiverse conditions and other long-term health needs. The guidance covers accessibility across key areas including arrival and parking, clubhouse facilities, greens and surrounding areas, communication, participation, signage and information.
Clubs are encouraged to identify barriers, make reasonable adjustments, and work with people who have lived experience to ensure everyone can participate safely, independently and with dignity.
If you help with the running of a club and are looking for guidance on accessibility and physical access, Sport England and the Activity Alliance are a good place to start.
Sport England
Sport England has developed comprehensive guidance for planners, designers, building owners, and operators to support the creation and operation of safe, welcoming, accessible, and inclusive sports and leisure facilities.
This guidance provides a practical framework to help organisations meet their obligations under the Equality Act (2010). It outlines how to consider and address the needs of all potential users and sets the current standard for designing and maintaining facilities that are inclusive and responsive to the needs of our vibrant and diverse communities.
Accessible and inclusive sports facilities | Sport England
Bodmin Bowls Club, Cornwall received £15,000 from Sport England Movement Fund ensuring that the club is accessible with new ramps.
Activity Alliance
The Activity Alliance is a national charity and the leading voice for disabled people in sport and physical activity. They work with a wide range of partners, including those in leisure, education, and organisations delivering local and national strategies.
In addition to offering free training and resources, Activity Alliance has produced a valuable document that provides practical guidance on creating inclusive opportunities and environments for disabled people. Creating Accessible Places & Spaces
Funding
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Para International Squad
Para Lawn Bowls will be featuring at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Read more –
Para International Calendar 2026 / 2027
Sunday 7th June – Para International Assessment Day – Nuneaton BC, Higham Lane, Nuneaton, CV11 6AX
Monday 22nd June – Thursday 25th June – Para British Bowls – Ayr, Scotland
Friday 24th July – Sunday 22nd August – Commonwealth Games – Glasgow, Scotland
Sunday 16th May 2027 – Para International Assessment Day – TBC
Saturday 19th June – Sunday 27th June – British Bowls Internationals & Para Series
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If you have any questions relating to Disability Bowls please email us at enquiries@bowlsengland.com. Or, if you would like to find out more about getting involved, you can sign up using the links below: