BRITISH ISLES SCHEDULE AGREED FOR 2023
The WWBA is pleased to advise that the Home Nations have agreed a competition schedule and format for the 2023 seasonwhich includes Senior and Junior Internationals, British Isles Championships and under 18 Test Match.
We believe in the importance of British Isles International competition and look forward to these traditional rivalries continuing with Ireland, Jersey, Scotland and England this summer.
The programme will provide appropriate and high-quality preparation across all four disciplines ahead of the World Championships in Australia. The plans also deliver equality across the genders and continue to provide plenty of opportunity for a wide group of players to experience international bowls both at senior and junior level.
The international season kicks off with the British Isles Senior Internationals in Ayr, Scotland, from Friday 30th June to Sunday 2nd July inclusive. The event will hopefully see each Country, except Jersey, field two teams of 10 to participate in a multi-discipline event featuring Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours matches played under World Bowls conditions as below:
A time limit of two hours, 15 minutes will be in place for all matches.
The British Isles Junior Internationals will take place in Llandrindod Wells, Wales, on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September. Following positive feedback from the successful 2022 event in Belfast, the Junior Series will continue in the same format with three rinks of men and three rinks of women. Titles will be awarded to men, women and combined. With Covid-19 behind us, selection will return to those players aged under 25 on 1st April and we look forward to building on the successful efforts of our young players in both last year’s event and European Championships.
The Under 18s Test Match, is planned for the 5th/6th August, hosted by Wales at RTB Ebbw Vale.
The British Isles Championships will precede the International Series in Ayr and take place between Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th June, practice on the 27th. The event is a great opportunity for those who win our National Finals to test themselves on the international stage and, in 2023, Wales will be represented by our 2022 National Championship winners, Emma Gittins and Dan Salmon.
With various formats being played in each of the Home Nations in their respective events it has been agreed that the Championships will consist of the following:
In Pairs, Triples and Fours an extra end/ends to be played should scores be level at the conclusion of the match. There will be no time limit in the Championships.