National Competitions 2023 – Frequently Asked Questions

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Via email:

When a tie is known the nominated contact for both players/teams will receive an automated email detailing the tie and opponents contact details for arranging the match.

Via your online account:

The nominated contact will be able to view their oppositions contact details by clicking on the opponents name within the ‘Competition Entries’ section in their online account.

In all Bowls England events the challenger is the player/team that arranges the match, the challenger for that match will have (Challenger) next to the name in the draw, this may be the first name in the draw or the second name in the draw. For example, if the second name in the tie has ‘Challenger’ next to their name/team they are responsible for arranging the game and will offer dates and pick the venue for the match to be played.

In all Bowls England events the opponent is the player/team that receives dates for the match, the opponent will not have (Challenger) next to the name in the draw, this may be the first name in the draw or the second name in the draw. For example, if the second name in the tie does not have ‘Challenger’ next to their name/team they will not arrange the match instead await dates and venue for the match from the challenger.

The challenger does not have to pick their own club to play a match tie, matches can be any affiliated club in the area of the competition. The venue of the match must be stipulated when dates are offered.

Three dates must be offered to the opponent for each match involved. The three dates must include at least one weekend date.

Weekdays – start time no earlier than 6pm or later than 6.30pm
Weekends – start time no earlier than 9.30am or later than 6.30pm

Two starting times on the same day do not count as two separate dates.
No date must be offered within 48 hours of the challenge.

For example, you are offered dates at 6pm on the 22nd May, the earliest date you can offer your opponent is 6pm on the 24th May.

If the match to be played is the first match for both players/teams then dates must be offered by the challenger no later than 21 days before the closing date of that round. For example, if the closing date is the 21st May, dates must be offered by 11:59pm on the 1st May.

If you have a bye to the next round and your opposing player/team has an earlier round, the challenger must offer dates within 24 hours of the close of the previous round. For example, the round closes on 21st May, the challenger must offer dates by 11:59pm 22nd May.
If the opposing player/team had a fixture in the earlier round and was given a walkover, this is classed as a match played and dates for the next round must be offered as per above.

The challenger must offer the opponent dates within 24 hours of the close of the previous round. For example, the round closes on 21st May, the challenger must offer dates by 11:59pm 22nd May.

Only dates offered within the window of the round are classed as eligible dates, therefore if dates are offered outside of this window you do not need to accept and are entitled to ask for further dates.

For an opening match:
Failure to offer eligible dates (challenger) within 21 days of the opening round will result in the opponent becoming the ‘challenger’ and must make all match arrangements within 20 days of the close of the round. For example, Closing date of round is 21st May – if dates are not received by 11:59pm on the 1st May, the opponent then becomes the challenger and must offer dates within 24 hours, this being 11:59pm on the 2nd May.

For a following round:
Failure to offer eligible dates (challenger) within 24 hours of the previous round closing will result in the opponent becoming the ‘challenger’ and must make all match arrangements within 48 hours days of the close of the previous round. For example, Closing date of round is 21st May – if dates are not received by 11:59pm on the 22nd May the opponent then becomes the challenger and must offer dates within 24 hours, this being 11:59pm on the 23rd May.

For an opening match:
The opponent must accept a date no later than 18 days prior to the close of the round. For example, If the challenger offers dates on the 25th April for a round with a closing date of the 21st May, the opponent must accept a date by 11:59pm on the 3rd May.

For a following round:
The opponent must accept a date no later than 72 hours after the close of the previous round. For example, if the closing date of the previous round is 21st May, and dates are offered on the 15th May, the opponent must accept a date by 11:59pm on the 24th May.

For dress code please refer to Appendix B1 & B2 within our Rules & Regulations here.

Pre-National Finals:
All bowls shall bear a clearly legible stamp which has an expiry date of 1985 or later. These bowls can be used for the rounds leading to the National finals. All bowls shall be from the same set as stated in the Laws of the Sport V4 (Law 2.4).
National Finals:
All bowls must bear a stamp in accordance with the current Laws of the Sport V4 (Law 53). A World Bowls Ltd stamp with a date of the current year (2023) or later will be valid.

A draw for rink/s to be played on shall be made in accordance with the current Laws of the Sport (Law 1.3).

i. One rink required = Two rinks offered
ii. Two rinks required = Two rinks offered
iii. Four rinks required = Four rinks offered
iv. Five rinks required = Five rinks offered
v. Six rinks required = Six rinks offered

How rinks are determined for play is a domestic matter for clubs to decide.

For Inclement Weather refer to Appendix J within our Rules & Regulations here.

All results are to be submitted online via your online account – click here for step by step instructions in order to submit your result successfully.

Please email comps@bowlsengland.com detailing your name, competition and club, we will then be able to resolve this for you.