We are committed to safeguarding all those who participate in our sport – ensuring they can do so in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment.

We’ve been working with clubs and counties affiliated to Bowls England over the past three years to ensure that every club has a registered Safeguarding Officer ahead of the deadline of May 1st, 2025, that was mandated by Bowls England to all clubs back in 2022.

With less than a month to go, we’re delighted that more than 1,600 of our Affiliated Clubs have now achieved this. However, there are still 200 Affiliated Clubs who are yet to meet this obligation and may be at risk of sanctions for the 2025 season, which may prevent them from participating in future events under our jurisdiction and could lead to disaffiliation.

Juliette Maggs-Bowen, Bowls England’s National Safeguarding Lead, said: “We want to make sure all our clubs and county associations have the support to provide safe environments for all participants.​ It’s great that so many of our affiliated clubs now have safeguarding processes in place and would like to thank county associations for their support in helping clubs to comply. Clubs have known for nearly three years of this deadline, and our aim is to help every affiliated club to meet the May 1st deadline and avoid potential sanctions.”

Bowls England is hosting several free online sessions this month to provide guidance on the process and requirements for those outstanding clubs.

Juliette added: “During these sessions we will assist clubs with tips on how to find suitable candidates, explaining the responsibilities of the role and directing them towards the necessary training. We urge those Clubs who are yet to appoint a Safeguarding Lead to attend these sessions as they will have the opportunity to seek advice from, and ask questions of, the team at Bowls England”

Information sessions will be held:

Friday 18 April – 11am

Monday 21 April – 7pm

Friday 25 April – 11am

You can sign up for the information sessions using the link below. Cut off to sign up is Thursday 17^th April 3pm.

You can view the list of clubs that are yet to complete the safeguarding register at the end of this article. If your club is listed, please ensure that your Club Committee is aware so we can support them.

If you have any queries, please email: safeguarding@bowlsengland.com