The launch of the World Bowls Series (WBS) and the Official World Rankings occurred today (19 June) at Club Helensvale on the Gold Coast in Australia, with the Aviva National Finals and the upcoming British Bowls events – both hosted at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa – being listed.
The WBS is the official year-long calendar of sanctioned events connecting to the official World Rankings. It is a joint venture between World Bowls and Tier 5 Ventures. The sanctioned events occur across the globe and include a mixture of current and new events.
WBS commenced in 2024 with twenty-nine (29) sanctioned events, with each WBS event belonging to a different tier based on the size, location and stature it presents for the game of Bowls.
The purpose of WBS is to build the profile and brand of bowls, showcase the best players in the game, accelerate the legitimacy of the sport on the global stage and launch World Rankings that will create clarity, and interest in the sport of Bowls.
The upcoming British Bowls Championships and International Series are two of the 29 sanctioned events. The events will see the best bowlers from across the British Isles, many of whom are included in the World Rankings, battle it out at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa, from 26 – 30 June.
Bowls England Chief Executive, Jon Cockcroft, said:
“It is positive that these events have been included in the new World Bowls Series, as World Bowls aspires to elevate a programme of high-profile tournaments, in which players can accrue ranking points, and that can attract broadcast and commercial interest. With uncertainty around the future of the Commonwealth Games, significant pressure on public funding and the challenge of growing participation in our sport, we welcome this ambition. We will continue to lead from the front through the growth of the Aviva National Finals and our desire to bring more world-class events to Royal Leamington Spa.”
More information on the British Bowls events may be found at bowlsengland.com/British-Bowls. Entry to the event is free of charge, but pre-registration is required. The British Bowls Championships takes place from 26 – 27th June, followed by the British Bowls International Series from 28 – 30th June.
Later in 2024, WBS will be launching rankings for Para Bowlers where the participation and profile is increasing across the World.
A full list of the top 50 players from the Official World Rankings are now live on the WBS website – worldbowlsseries.com with information on the events that have contributed to these rankings are also available.
With the inclusion in the WBS, more eyes will be on the Aviva National Finals, which takes place from the 15th August to 1st September. Tickets are available from £5.50 for adults, and more information about the event may be found at bowlsengland.com/Aviva-National-Finals.