Author: Stevie Angus

The English Bowls Bowls Association (EBUA) have now approved Laser Measures for use by Umpires as an piece of additional equipment that they may want to carry.

 

World Bowls do not “approve” or “endorse” measuring equipment. If an item complies with the Laws of the Sport, then it is for the Member National Authorities (MNAs) to approve the types of measuring equipment for carrying out umpire duties

as stated in Law 54.9

 

The manufacturer, Bowlsline, market their measures “as approved by World Bowls”.

In its guidance of October 2020, the World Bowls Laws Committee stated, “The World Bowls Laws Committee does not need to give permission for new measuring devices (each MNA has this authority), but the LC will comment if they do not comply with the

Laws of the Sport.

 

The laser measure may be used as an alternative to the box measure, Due to a variation in tolerances among laser measure models and as they do not measure directly between the nearest points of the jack and a bowl, there is a recommended minimum distance for their use of 300 mm.

The maximum distance for using a laser measure can vary, depending on the ambient lighting conditions, the measuring range of the laser beam, and the reflectivity of the target. For example it is unlikely that a commercially available measure will be powerful enough to be able to measure a minimum jack length or determine a line bowl or jack.

 

There are now several models of available laser measures for bowlers. Each model has a unique design and instructions on their use. Laser measures should be used with a degree of caution. All laser models display metric units to three decimal places (i.e. 1 mm), but their technical specifications indicate various levels of typical measuring accuracy, ranging between +/-1 mm and +/-3 mm.

Another limitation of any laser measure is that it can only be used when the jack and all bowls are on the green, and nothing is in the ditch. The laws state that any measurement involving the jack or a bowl in the ditch must be carried out using a flexible or string measure whenever possible.

 

The most accurate laser measure is the Bowlsline model, and this is the one recommended for use by EBUA umpires.

 

With this update, we will now allow them to be used by members 

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Sue Davies DBE Performance & Team Manager announces the

England Test Match Outdoor Team v Scotland 1 & 2nd September, Ayr Scotland

B2 Sarah Marshall – Berkhamsted BC Hertfordshire

* B2 Kevin Betteridge – Hewll BC, Worcestershire

* B3 David Wood Taunton Deane BC. Somerset

B4 Sally-Ann Lewis-Wall – Kingscroft BC Leicestershire

VIs Directors

* Nigel Morgan – Haydon Wick BC Wiltshire

*Jayne Sippitts – Hewell BC, Worcestershire

Elizabeth Shipley – Hinckley BC Leicestershire

Chris Venn – Lillington BC Warwickshire

*B6 Colin Wagstaff, Oakham BC Leicestershire

B6 Craig Bowler – Wellingborough BC Northamptonshire

B7 Colin Milner – Hoddesdon & Rye Park BC HertfordshireB7 Jonathan Stokes – Luton Town BC Bedfordshire

* B8 Mike McDonagh – Cheam BC Surrey

B8 Anthony Page – Congresbury BC Somerset

B8 Mike Robertson – Parkway BC Huntingdonshire (Captain)

B8 Kieran Rollings – Kettering Lodge BC Northamptonshire

* New England International Cap

 

 

International Bowls for the Disabled World Championships 2024 – Update – It has been confirmed that this event is still going ahead as planned between the 18 May – 31 May 2024 (Intended departure day from UK 15 May – Return date 2 June) at the moment we still don’t have any cost for this event, but are  but to enable us to start planning as we intend to send a competitive team in all categories B1 to B8  (maximum 4 men & 4 Females per classification)

Formats will include competitions for B1 to B4 and B6 to B8 Men’s and Women’s Singles and Men’s and Women’s Pairs. (Maximum 4 Entries per Discipline per country)

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT WILL BE 100% SELF FUNDED BY MEMBERS AT THE MOMENT. (Estimated cost between £2,000 & £2,500 per person)

We intend to select (once the full selection criteria are confirmed) and send a competitive team to this event to compete in all categories and are calling for members who wish to be considered to take part in this prestige event,

please re-send your details to DBE Performance & Team Manager – sue.davies@disabilitybowlsengland.org.uk . We will keep you all updated once full event cost and other information is confirmed.

Dear All

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The Last few years have presented many difficulties and challenges for the BWBW, however following discussions by the board and its partners we are excited to announce that we are back and intending to run several wheelchair bowls events over the next few years.

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Our first event is schedule to take place at Bristol City & County IBC over the weekend of 29^th April/30^th April 2023 and will be the BWBA UK MatchPlay Pairs Championship 2023.​ Play will be on a sets format. Wheelchair bowlers to use a BWBA-approved bowling wheelchair and each pair can have a wheelchair bowler paired up with a bowler of their choice, disabled or not, wheelchair bowler or not, able-bodied or not – the choice is yours

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A Plate Competition will be run too in order to give players as many matches as possible within the playing format. Prize money will be paid for the main event and the Plate. Play will take place over both Saturday and Sunday with the Finals taking place on Sunday afternoon. Play should be finished by 630pm Sunday at the latest (probably earlier based on previous years) after the Trophy and prize-money has been presented. The winning pair will receive £150; runners-up £100; third-place £60 and the Plate winners £40.

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We hope you are willing to support this fantastic event.

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If you would like further information or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on paul.brown@bwba.org.uk

​MATCHPLAY PAIRS 2023 Entry Form

The high performance squad nominations forms can be found below..

 

DBE Indoor High Performance Squad nomination form

DBE Indoor High Performance Squad nomination form

Helen Lewis – Wall has decided to step down from her position as International Selector and Team Manager with the DBE’

After two difficult years and a lot of hard work, she is going out on a high, with the Home Nations Teams great win but also driving the Para Commonwealth Game squad to their recent outstanding performance and showcasing English Para Bowls on the world stage.

Helen has been the unsung member of the team, organiser, chief cheerleader, coach, therapist, had her ear bashed by the moaners, and in charge of keeping the team in order, no mean
task!

Helen says’ What a journey, I am lucky to have worked with some amazing players and management team. My aim was to help my team reach their potential, Over the last 18 months
together we have grown to become a strong team unit. I thank my team for enabling me to become a better manager and a stronger person. We have laughed together, cried together and
celebrated together’

She has done a fabulous job well done Helen!