The 2024 season has provided many highlights – most notably the British Bowls event and Aviva National Finals that were both staged so successfully at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa. Whilst we are still reflecting on the season, we wanted to update you on some important issues that have occurred over the past few weeks and our plans to address them with you.

Aviva National Finals – Player Code of Conduct

Bowls England is responsible for the participation and development of the sport of bowls, setting standards that apply at every level to players, spectators and officials. We piloted a new Code of Conduct at the Aviva National Finals to demonstrate our commitment to protect the values and integrity of bowls. A small number of players received warnings (both verbal and written) and we will roll this out as a condition of participation for the 2025 season with relevant sanctions in place. Our Disciplinary regulations are also being updated and will complement the Code of Conduct.

Aviva National Finals – Withdrawals

Bowls England was very disappointed that a number of players/teams either did not participate at the Aviva National Finals or withdrew during the event having qualified.  This conduct undermines the integrity of the competition and can be unfair for other bowlers. We will be working with the counties concerned to establish the facts of each case and to ensure that appropriate disciplinary action (if required) is taken and communicated to all relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, we will incorporate requirements in this regard into the Code of Conduct.

Aviva National Finals – Dress Code

In 2023 the previous process for registration of club and county colours ceased following discussion with county representatives. However, it was evident during the Aviva National Finals that there was inconsistency in supply of kit – in particular the absence of county colours except shirts for many players. We will raise this as a discussion item at the Counties Conference in order to reach a resolution for future years and would recommend that county committees discuss their current kit ‘offer’ with players and suppliers in order to provide an informed view at Conference.

Middleton Cup/Johns Trophy

Bowls England was made aware of Counties not participating in Middleton Cup group stage fixtures and/or fielding ‘under strength’ sides, which undermined the integrity of the competition. We are now in receipt of a proposition from Surrey regarding the format for the Middleton Cup and Johns Trophy, which has been circulated to all counties. This will be discussed further at the Counties Conference. These events will be round robin in 2025 in line with the decision at this year’s AGM.

Inter-County Events – Entry and Draws

We are still awaiting entry information from a small number of counties. We request that any county yet to enter does so by Monday 23 September in order that we can finalise draws and regional venues by the end of October. You are reminded that there is no entry fee for any inter-county events and that the Balcomb Trophy, Walker Cup, White Rose Trophy and Amy Rose Bowl will be used as a platform for international talent identification and selection.

Whilst it is important we address the above, the overwhelming majority of national competitions leading up to, and during the Aviva National finals were delivered smoothly and competitors enjoyed their experiences. We thank all those who competed in, and delivered, our 2024 competitions programme and look forward to next summer.