To all Officers, fellow bowlers and friends.

I am greatly honoured, proud and privileged to be President of the Welsh Lawn Bowls.

I would like to thank my club, Troedyrhiw and my county, Mid Glamorgan for my 

nomination and all Officers and Counties for their pledges of support.

The WLB is still very much in it`s infancy so I will be depending on the support of our Officers and our Executive Committee. Since I have been involved with the WLB, I think its imperative we all work closely with Bowls Wales, seeking their advice and guidance to ensure the game of lawn bowls prevails. So, far with the meetings I have attended I have been very impressed with their support and long may it continue.  

Having been involved in my club, local league and County administration and Officer roles, for 40+ years, I still find that you learn new things and hear ideas about the game of bowls and how hard working and dedicated the WLB Officers are.  Unfortunately, individuals are very quick to criticise without knowledge of the circumstances and not actually prepared to step up as a representative or Officer to the great game of lawn bowls.

I took up the game of bowls during the summer holidays of 1979, at the age of 14 and then joined my local club, Troedyrhiw and 46 years later, and I am still a member. Little did I know that I would one day become President of the WLB.

At the AGM in December, I declared that I would do my utmost to maintain the high standards of the Past Presidents. I also mentioned my passion of grassroot bowls and the impact it can have on local communities and provide a network for all ages to enjoy.  

To the immediate Past President, Heulwen, she must be congratulated on the way she conducted herself through some difficult circumstances. Also a massive THANK YOU to the WLB Officers for working so hard, especially whilst during the British Bowls Event and National Championships. How proud everyone must of felt when Wales won so many British Bowls tittles.  

I wish the Team Managers, selectors and players every success during the year, especially with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

I look forward to working closely with my Senior Vice President, Helen Rhian Jones and with the WLB Officers. Hopefully meeting a number of you at the President’s games and WLB Events, making new friendships and renewing old ones.

May I wish you a healthy and enjoyable season and have a great 2026.  

Richard William Davies

President

WLB

Welsh Lawn Bowls are saddened to hear about the passing of David Davies MBE who was aged 96. 

David was secretary of Mid Wales CBA for 20 years and a match results co-ordinator for 15 years and match secretary for 10 years. He was a life member of the association.

Affectionatley known as Mr Bowls in Mid Wales due to his contribution to bowls.

He was also a past president & life member of the Welsh Bowling Association and a Barbarian for 30 years

Funeral arrangements will be published once they are known.

Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family, and all who were fortunate enough to call him a friend.

Click here to view the role description. 

Letters of applications stating your suitability and relevant key skills for the role as well your Curriculum Vitae should be sent to your County Secretary and forwarded to the Hon. Secretary Stephen Benjamin E-mail address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Closing date for applications:     15^th March 2026

The 2026 Form for the Open Singles & Mixed Pairs can be found here.

All entries must be received by the 1st April 2026 (Note: The form states 1st March 2026 which is incorrect, the correct date is 1st April 2026)

We are pleased to announce an exciting and important vacancy at Welsh Lawn Bowls.

We are looking for someone who is motivated to help the next generation of bowlers in Wales. To find out more, click here for the role description.

The Academy Team Manager is to oversee the development of young bowlers within Welsh Lawn Bowls Academy. Focusing on talent identification, coaching, competition management and ensuring adherence to training programs designed to nurture future elite players, often aligning with the philosophy of the international Team Managers and National Governing Body.

Applications Close: 8th March 2026

Please send your expression of interest and experience to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The 2026 Licence Application Form has been made available here

All Tournaments and Competitions (except those confined solely to own Club Members) must be licensed by the Welsh Lawn Bowls Association.

This Application Form is for all Tournaments it should be returned duly completed with the appropriate Licence Fee to the Hon Treasurer at least 4 weeks prior to the start of the Tournament..

The Glasgow Commonwealth Games Selection Policy has been published on the policies page of our website.

You can also view a copy of this policy by clicking here

Message received from Andrew regarding his father's funeral.

The funeral of the late Barry Fleming will take place at 1pm on Saturday, 10th January, at Aberystwyth Crematorium, SY23 3DG.  This will be followed by refreshments at Machynlleth Bowling Club.

The W.L.B. Calendar for 2026 is now available via this link.

The role of competition secretary has become available again and therefore the job description and new closing date are now available here.

Please note the closing date for the following vacancies have been extended until Tueday 14th October.

Secretary

Assistant Secretary

Minute Secretary

The following vacancies are now available in WELSH LAWN BOWLS, please read the descriptions and details of how to apply if interested.

1. Secretary

2. Competition Secretary

3. Assistant Secretary

4. Minute Secretary

5. Webmaster

6. Safeguarding Officer

Due to a number of duplications it has been difficult to finalise the latter stages of the national championships but here is the position so far.

Thursday 14 August

There are a few outstanding U25 pairs first and second round matches being played today and the results of these will determine when the semi final and final of this competition will be played.

Mens O60 Triples

Ladies 4 wood singles

Mens Triples

Para Bowls pairs and triples

Mens O55 Rinks

Ladies U25 Pairs

Mens U18 singles

Friday 15 August

Mens O60 Pairs

Mixed Singles

Ladies 2 wood singles

Mens Fours

Mens Singles

Mens U25 singles

Ladies U18 singles

Mixed Pairs Final

NOTE: Mens U25 pairs will be Friday or Saturday depending on the results today.

Update:  Mens U25 pairs semi final and final will now be held on Saturday 16th August, 09:30 and 14:30.

Hi guys

i do apologise but I altered website to say 09:30 start tomorrow for the semi final of O60 singles, this will still take place at 12:30 as previously stated.

There are vacancies on the Bowls Wales board, see link for details or contact Bowls Wales direct.

https://bowlswales.com/vacancies/

Announcemen: W.L.B. secretary and Competition Secretary.

As from 1st July, Chris Gilmour has stepped down as secretary of Welsh Lawn Bowls. We thank Chris for his contribution over the last eighteen months and wish him good luck for the future.

Effective from 2nd July, the executive committee have co-opted Nick Harris into the position of interim secretary, with Andrew Goodwin (Pontymister Athletic B. C.) taking on the role of interim competition secretary. We offer our best wishes to Nick and Andrew in their new positions & trust you will give them your full support in the months ahead.

WLB decided to issue cap numbers when it was formed in 2024, these are unique numbers for every international player. Nine more players made their debut for the WLB international team, although some would have played before under the old associations. These numbers were allocated in alphabetical order because they were all capped at the same time. A tenth name was then added later as he also gained a cap coming into the team.

All numbers are on the website and can be found here, tap on the number or name to see the photographs.

We held the Welsh President's patrons day at Llandrindod Wells recently and can share some photographs of the day with you.

With special thanks to Steve Watson, Sporting Highlights.

The Welsh U25 trial teams have been selected and can be found by clicking the links.

Welsh Lawn Bowls are looking for volunteers to help run the British Bowls event smoothly, there will be various duties from giving guidance to visitors, manning doors, distributing programs, helping with scoreboards etc.

under the British Bowls menu there is a form called volunteer, if you complete and send this form your name will be added to the list of volunteers and one of the officers will be in touch to let you know if and when you will be required.

The following players have been selected for the U18 series at Ayr, Scotland 20th - 21st July 2025.

Please can all ladies wishing to take part in the singles report to the Assistant Secretary before 9am on Saturday & to bring a marker for their first game.

We will aim to do the draw at 9:15am, & get play underway for 10am.

All winners of first games will be expected to also play a second game on the day. Losers of the first round games should be prepared to mark for their winning opponents in the second round.

The following players are to be invited to attend the u18 game v Barbarians. There will be an academy session followed by a match V Barbarians at Blaina Bowls club, NP13 3BZ. 29 May 2025.

10.30 start

Boys
Billy Flynn-Pontrydyfen
Celyn Gowan - Pontrydyfen
Jack Davies - Thomastown
Elijah Minnett - Merthyr WE
Oliver Price - Merthyr WE
Jack Thomas - Pontrydyfen
Jack Rees - Blaina
Talan Gunter - Merthyr WE
Jack Evans - Kidwelly
McKenzie Stevens - Dinas Powis
Alfie Price - Llandrindod Wells
Adam Pritchard - Bridgend Municipal
Owen Pearce - Ystradfechan
Joseph Davies - Merthyr WE

Girls
Emily Davies - Whitland
Eleanor Davies - Whitland
Ruby Billingham - Bridgend
Sophie Regan - Ammanford
Libby Harris - Penylan
Rhianna Thompson - Melyn Utd
Cara Dunne - Llandrindod Wells
Ffion Stephens - Llandrindod Wells
Sophie Gunter - Merthyr WE
Ellie Davies - Merthyr WE
Nanci Minnett - Merthyr WE

There are a number of changes to both trial teams for the weekend, check out the teams under, TEAMS - MEN or LADIES - TRIAL TEAMS 25.

Session 2

Session 3

 A fantastic day of bowling, some wonderful talent on show from our young bowlers.  Thank you to everyone who took part and helped preparing and organising the event. Thank you to everyone at Llandrindod for your hospitality yet again and the groundsmen who prepared a great surface to play on.  Congratulations to West Glamorgan for reaching the final and to Monmouthshire on winning the super 9 championship 2025.

Sad to report on another stalwart of Welsh Bowls passing this morning, I think Richard Bowen has written it so well I have simply copied his message and posted below, it includes a link to his tribute on Barry Athletic site, R.I.P. Russell.

Reminder that the closing date for ladies competitions is 26 February, all forms must be in to the assistant secretary by then.

Click on the link to see the W.L.B. calendar for 2025.

There is a Vacancy for a new Welsh selector for the mens international teams, click on link for details.

Welsh Lawn Bowls are saddened to hear of the passing of Alan Baker Thomas.  Alan was county secretary at Montgomeryshire for many years and was well respected in bowls throughout the principality.  He became Welsh President in 2009 and served his country with pride.  Rest in Peace Alan

Announcement - Alan Baker Thomas.

Alan’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 21st January 2025 at the Presbyterian Church in Caersws and will commence at 1pm. The service will be public and the family will warmly welcome those who wish to attend. This will be followed by interment at Llanwnog Cemetery and then refreshments will be provided at the village hall in Caersws.

There will also be a continued celebration of Baker’s life at the Bowling Club in Machynlleth from 5pm that evening and further refreshments will be provided there.

Alan’s family are happy for those attending to wear black tie attire or colourful sports shirts. Alan stated he did not want flowers, but any donations would be kindly received in lieu of the Welsh Air Ambulance and the Village club in Caersws, two organisations he regularly supported.

W.L.B. are delighted to hear that David James has been recognised in the New Years Honours.  David is a former Welsh President and long time county secretary at Ceredigion.  David was honoured for his services as a volunteer and to bowls, he has been awarded a B.E.M. the British Empire Medal.  Many congratulations David from everyone at Welsh Bowls.

Please see message below from bowls wales regarding storm damage funds.

Morning All, 

Please see details below from Sport Wales regarding a Storm damage fund.

Clubs only have a short window in which to apply for the grants which range from a minimum £300 up to a maximum £5,000. Applications open at 9am on Tuesday 10 December and close one week later at 4pm on Tuesday 17 December. 
 
The grants can be used to help with costs covering repairs to facilities, clubhouses, fixtures and fittings, flooring, furniture, infrastructure, equipment, pitch works, utilities repair, replacing white goods and cleaning costs.

To find out more information and how to apply please click on the link below:

https://www.sport.wales/grants-and-funding/storm-damage-fund/

Please can you share with you clubs and across your social media. 

Thanks, 

Claire

National Development Manager

BowlsWales 

Mobile: 07936363108

Office: 029 2033 4998

Website: www.bowlswales.com

British Bowls announcesitsprogramme of events for 2025

We are delighted to confirm plans for a fullprogramme of British Bowls events in 2025.

Representatives of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales met on Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th November to confirm future governance arrangements, review 2024 events and agree competition plans for 2025 and beyond. Whilst Jersey were unable to attend the meeting, they remain a core member of British Bowls and all five nations will sign aBritish Bowls Collaboration Agreement.  A comprehensive Event Manual is also being developed to ensure consistent event delivery between the nations as we work together to build the brand of British Bowls.

World Bowls Chief Executive Neil Dalrymple joined part of the meeting to provide an overview of plans internationally, with the group using this opportunity to take a more strategic view of the wider role that British Bowls can play in future. Discussions included developing the events programme, ensuring the new world rankings system reflects the efforts of British bowlers, maximizing the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and how we use international events to grow participation.

The season again kicks off with the British Bowls Championships and Internationals at Llandrindod Wells BC, Wales, from Tuesday 24th to Sunday 29th June inclusive. Players from England, Ireland, Jersey, Scotland and Wales will come together to battle for individual and team honours across six days of action-packed bowls.Following positive feedback from players and spectators across all nations, it was agreed that the format for the British Bowls International Series remain multi-discipline with 15 player teams across both the men’s and women’s event. Minor amendments will see the removal of extra ends in individual games plus a review of the points scoring for individual and overall scores.

These events will be followed by the U18 Internationals in Ayr, Scotland, on Sunday 20th and Monday 21st July. This event continues to provide international action for Britain’s top young players.

To top the season off the fiercely competitive British Isles U25 Internationals will also take place in Ayr on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September. It was agreed that the format for this event will follow that of the International Series, with individual disciplines across both genders in order to better support the player pathway to further international honours, and further work is being undertaken by the British Bowls team to finalise details for this event.

England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will participate in both the U18 and U25 events.

Welsh Lawn Bowls Secretary, Chris Gilmour: “The British Bowls events in 2024 were hugely successful, with very positive feedback from players and spectators, particularly the new International Series format. We enjoyed a very productive two days with colleagues from Ireland, Scotland and England, and, together with Jersey, we look forward to a bright future for British Bowls on and off the green. In 2025, Wales will showcase the British Bowls Event in Llandrindod Wells quickly followed with the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, we look forward to showcasing the best players and inspiring more people to play and watch bowls.”

Dates for your Diary:

Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th June:

British Bowls Championships

Llandrindod Wells BC, Wales

Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th June inclusive:

British Bowls International Series

Llandrindod Wells BC, Wales

Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July:

Test Match v Ireland

Dublin, Ireland

Sunday 20th and Monday 21st July:

U18 International Series

National Centre for Bowling, Ayr, Scotland

Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September:

U25 International Series

National Centre for Bowling, Ayr, Scotland

The funeral of the late Gareth Humphreys MBE will be held on Friday 29th November with a service at 11:30am at All Saints Church, Barry, followed by cremation at Cardiff and Glamorgan Memorial Park and Crematorium.  Refreshments will be served at Barry Rugby Club.