Winter League
Two 11th-hour applications by Linthwaite Hall and Hanging Heaton saw the number of new teams joining the Winter League for the 2023-24 season swell the numbers by another 14 taking the total up to 54 teams for the 2023-24 season. That is a phenomenal increase in numbers which goes against all the trends in bowling - a sport in decline we are told.
The 14 new teams are: Hanging Heaton, Linthwaite Hall, Slaithwaite, Golcar Lib, New Mill A, New Mill B, Outlane, Broad Oak, Thorpe Green D, Cowcliffe A, Cowcliffe B, Marsh United, Kirkheaton Con B and Lockwood Con B. This represents a real mix of teams from all levels of bowling.
The mix of teams is a massive step forward as well. In previous years we have found that the majority of new teams are B and C teams from clubs already represented in the League. Bowlers get a taste through early curiosity and then want more so another team is added to the ranks. This year we see that 11 of the new teams are from clubs checking out winter bowling for the first time and this is a significant shift in widening the League's team base which can only be good for the future of winter bowling.
The Management Committee will meet on Wednesday morning to begin the process of fitting the 54 teams into 6 divisions with teams of similar levels of ability and experience in the same divisions. The Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 26 July will finalise the format of the League and only then will we know the make-up of the teams by divisions for the new season.
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