BDA Newsletter

Bowling News

The Bowls Development Alliance (BDA) is a national body supporting all forms of bowling and here is the latest newsletter from them outlining some of the work they are doing and how they intend to help your club in the future.

Summer 2026 Newsletter

Bowls Development Alliance

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Bowls Development Alliance Newsletter

Summer 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of the Bowls Development Alliance newsletter.

This summer has provided bowls with a fantastic opportunity to reach new audiences, with the Bowls Big Summer campaign encouraging clubs to open their doors and welcome new participants, alongside the increased visibility generated by the Commonwealth Games.

Across this edition, we explore how clubs can make the most of this moment, continue to build momentum beyond the summer and help more people discover what bowls has to offer. From attracting new participants to creating welcoming communities that support people's health and wellbeing, the opportunities for bowls clubs extend far beyond the green.

We hope you enjoy this edition and find inspiration, ideas and practical opportunities to support your club and help our sport continue to grow.

Visit the Bowls Development Alliance Website

Have Your Say: National Club and Volunteer Survey Now Live

The Bowls Development Alliance (BDA) and the four National Governing Bodies of bowls have launched a national survey to better understand the experiences, challenges and priorities of the people who volunteer across our clubs.

The survey is open to anyone who volunteers in any capacity at a bowls club. Whether you sit on a committee, coach, organise competitions, look after welfare, maintain the green, help with administration, support events or simply lend a hand when needed, we want to hear from you.

The survey is part of a collaborative piece of work being undertaken by the BDA and the four National Governing Bodies to develop a shared understanding of what bowls clubs need over the next five years.

By taking part, volunteers can help us better understand:- the challenges facing bowls clubs- the support volunteers need- the opportunities to strengthen clubs and grow participation- where the sport should focus its collective efforts in the years ahead

The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are confidential.

As a thank you for taking part, anyone who completes the survey and chooses to provide their email address will be entered into a prize draw to win a £250 Amazon Gift Voucher. Providing an email address is optional and is used for the purposes of administering the prize draw.

Your experience matters. Please take the opportunity to share your views and help shape the future of bowls.

The survey closes on Monday 7th September 2026.

Complete the Survey

Bowls Big Summer: There’s Still Time to Get Involved

We are now halfway through the summer, but there is still plenty of time for clubs to make the most of the Bowls Big Summer campaign. Unlike the previous Bowls Big Weekend format, this year’s campaign gives clubs the flexibility to run open days, taster sessions and recruitment events throughout the summer at times that work best for them.

That flexibility means it is not too late to get involved!

This is also a particularly exciting time for bowls, with the Commonwealth Games beginning this week and the sport set to benefit from increased exposure and coverage on screen. For many people, this may be their first opportunity to watch bowls at an international level and see the skill, excitement and competitive nature of the sport.

That increased visibility creates a valuable opportunity for clubs. People watching the Commonwealth Games may be inspired to find out more about bowls or even try it for themselves. Clubs can help turn that interest into participation by opening their doors, offering opportunities to have a go and making it easy for new participants to take their first steps into the sport.

And the opportunity does not end when the summer does. As the outdoor season draws to a close and the indoor season gets underway, clubs can continue to welcome new players and offer opportunities to get involved throughout the year.

Whether you are planning an open day, a taster session, a social event or another way for people to experience your club, there is still time to make the most of the Bowls Big Summer momentum and the increased profile generated by the Commonwealth Games.

We encourage all clubs to get involved in whatever way works best for them, make the most of the opportunities available and help more people discover what bowls has to offer.

This is a great moment for our sport. Let’s make sure people watching bowls this summer have an opportunity to take the next step and experience it for themselves.

Find out more about the Bowls Big Summer and how your club can get involved, contact Mark Eden at mark.eden@bowlsengland.com.

Making the Most of the Moment

The Commonwealth Games provides bowls with a valuable opportunity to reach new audiences. As millions of people watch the Games and see bowls being played at the highest level, some will inevitably be inspired to find out more about the sport. For clubs, the challenge is to turn that interest into something more lasting.

Because bowls offers far more than an opportunity to play a sport.

It can provide friendship, purpose, routine and a sense of belonging. It can bring people together, create new connections and make a genuine difference to people's lives.

We were recently reminded of this while working with Scole & District Bowls Club, one of eight clubs delivering Bowl for Health programmes across Norfolk this summer. The club's involvement was driven in part by one member whose personal story perfectly demonstrates the impact our sport can have.

Several years ago, his wife was diagnosed with dementia. Together, they joined the bowls club in the hope that it would be something they could enjoy as a couple. While his wife found it difficult to take part herself, the club welcomed them both with open arms. Members spent time with her, supported her and made sure she felt included while he played.

The kindness and support they received meant a great deal during what was an incredibly difficult period in their lives.

Following his wife's passing, bowls became even more important. The friendships he had built, the routine of attending the club and the sense of belonging he found there helped him through a challenging time. He told us that he simply could not imagine life without bowls.

That experience was one of the reasons he was so passionate about becoming involved in the Bowl for Health programme. He wanted other people to experience the benefits that bowls had brought to his own life, while also helping the club attract new participants and potential members.

His story is a powerful reminder that bowls is about much more than competition. It can help combat loneliness, support wellbeing and create connections that can be life changing. For some people, a bowls club can become a place where they find friendship, confidence and a community they can rely on.

As clubs look to make the most of the interest generated by the Commonwealth Games, stories like this remind us what we are really inviting people into.

Yes, we want more people to discover bowls. We want more people to visit clubs, try the sport and become involved. But beyond the game itself lies something even more valuable: a welcoming community, lasting friendships and support when it is needed most.

That is the true strength of bowls.

The Commonwealth Games may provide a moment in the spotlight, but the opportunity for bowls clubs to make a lasting difference continues long after the final bowl has been delivered.

For any queries about Bowl for Health, please contact Vicky Evans at victoriaevans@bowlsdevelopmentalliance.com.

August 2026 Week of Learning: Book Your Place

The Bowls Development Alliance’s August Week of Learning takes place from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th August 2026, with a programme of free online sessions designed to support clubs and volunteers across all four codes of bowls.

This month’s programme includes a number of new sessions, alongside popular opportunities to get advice, develop your club and share ideas with others.

New for August: Club Development Drop-Ins

Our new Club Development Drop-In sessions provide a flexible opportunity to speak to your local Club Development Officer about anything you would like advice or support with. Whether you have a question about developing your club, engaging your community, recruiting volunteers or accessing BDA support, you can drop in at any point during the session.

Region-specific sessions are available, although you are welcome to attend any of the sessions:

• Midlands: Monday 3rd August, 11:30am–1:30pm

• North: Tuesday 4th August, 11:30am–1:30pm

• South: Wednesday 5th August, 11:30am–1:30pm

  
  

Have Your Say – Club & Volunteer Voice

We also want to hear directly from clubs and volunteers about what bowls needs to thrive over the next five years.

Following the launch of the cross-code Club and Volunteer Survey, these interactive sessions will provide an opportunity to hear early findings from the survey, share your experiences and take part in focused conversations about what the results mean for the future of bowls.

Led by Lisa Graham, Managing Director of the BDA, these sessions are designed as a discussion rather than a presentation. Your insight will help shape how the BDA and the four national governing bodies support clubs in the future.

Sessions take place on Tuesday 4th August, 2pm–3pm, and Thursday 6th August, 5:30pm–6:30pm.

The programme also includes:

• Get Your Club Online for Beginners – Learn how to set up a Facebook page for your club and get your club listed on Google Maps.

• Club Health Checker Support – Get help completing the Club Health Checker or understanding your report and recommendations.

• Safeguarding – Code of Conduct: Banter vs Bullying – Explore the difference between banter and bullying and the role everyone plays in creating a safe and welcoming club environment.

• Peer-to-Peer Workshop – What Does a Well Run Club Look Like? – Share experiences and ideas with other clubs around governance, volunteers, communication, culture and day-to-day operations.

All sessions are free and open to clubs and volunteers affiliated to the four national governing bodies.

Book Your Place

Step into Bowls: Bowl for Health Programme Builds New Connections in Lincoln

Earlier this year, a 12-week Step in to Bowls programme has successfully concluded at Lincoln & District Indoor Bowls Club, helping local people become more active, try something new and build lasting social connections.

The free programme was delivered as a partnership between the Bowls Development Alliance and One You Lincolnshire, with the aim of encouraging people who were doing less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week to become more active through bowls.

Designed to be welcoming, relaxed and accessible to beginners, the programme enabled participants to learn and enjoy bowls at their own pace, with no previous experience required.

The success of the programme has extended beyond the 12-week sessions, with three attendees going on to become members of Lincoln & District Indoor Bowls Club. This is a fantastic outcome and demonstrates how initiatives such as Step in to Bowls can provide a pathway into regular physical activity and ongoing participation in sport.

The programme also created new friendships and social connections. In a particularly heart warming moment during the final session, attendees were already making plans to meet up socially outside of bowls. What began as a free activity programme has helped create a new group of friends who are continuing to spend time together.

The positive impact of the programme was also highlighted by the Manager at Lincoln & District Indoor Bowls Club:

“The programme was a real ‘win/win’ for us as a club. We have helped to integrate people who find it difficult to join in, most have stuck with us and thoroughly enjoyed the Thursday lunchtime sessions.“We’ve had such a positive response from those who come along, so much so that three people have joined the club and will continue to participate in what for them is a very friendly and safe environment.”

Danny Brown, Manager of Lincoln & District IBC

The programme has shown that bowls can offer much more than physical activity. It can provide a welcoming environment, an opportunity to learn a new skill, a chance to meet new people and the foundation for lasting friendships.

Introducing Our New Team Members: Molly Cousins and Laura Wright

We are delighted to welcome two new members of staff to the team: Molly Cousins and Laura Wright. Both bring a wealth of experience across sport, coaching, and community development, and will play an important role in supporting clubs across their regions.

Molly Cousins – Club and Community Development Officer (South West)

Molly joins the BDA with a strong background in sport and coaching, having worked in both netball and swimming environments. She holds a Sports Management and Coaching degree from the University of Bath, which has provided a strong foundation for her work in sport development.

Since joining bowls, Molly has quickly embraced the sport and the community around it:

“I have really enjoyed working in bowls because I have met some really brilliant individuals who are extremely keen to see their club succeed and work extremely hard to make this happen.”

Molly is responsible for supporting clubs across the South West, including Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. Her focus is on helping clubs grow, develop, and build on the fantastic work already happening across the region.

Laura Wright – Club and Community Development Officer (South East)

Laura has been with the BDA since April 2026 and works as a Club and Community Development Officer for the South East. She studied Sports Science and Management at Nottingham Trent University and brings a broad range of domestic and international coaching experience.

Her career has included coaching the Kenyan national lacrosse teams, supporting community sport delivery with DBA Africa, and working in a school setting in Zambia. This global experience has shaped her passion for sport and community impact.

Laura shared her excitement about joining the sport of bowls:

“I’m really excited to be working in bowls, particularly meeting passionate individuals who are dedicated to helping their clubs thrive.”

Her role focuses on supporting clubs to attract new members, retain existing players, and strengthen long-term sustainability. She also plays a key role in delivering community engagement through the BDA’s place-based Community Club Hub Programme.

Laura covers Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, City of and Greater London, Berkshire, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, West and East Sussex.

Outside of work, Laura is an international athlete, competing for England in Women’s Box Lacrosse, with her most recent appearance at the World Championships. She also enjoys travelling and experiencing new cultures, alongside her continued involvement in sport as a player, coach, and supporter.

The opportunities created by this summer's increased profile for bowls will continue long after the Commonwealth Games comes to an end.

By opening their doors, making it easy for people to get involved and showcasing the welcoming communities at the heart of the sport, clubs can turn short-term interest into long-term participation.

Whether someone is discovering bowls for the first time, returning to the sport or looking for a new community to become part of, every club has an important role to play.

Together, we can build on the momentum of this summer and ensure that more people have the opportunity to experience the enjoyment, friendship and wellbeing that bowls can provide.

The BDA is here to support clubs throughout that journey, and we look forward to continuing to work with clubs across the country to help bowls grow, thrive and welcome even more people into the sport.

Get active. Have fun. Play bowls.