Can the Winter League be too popular?

Winter League

The problem with the Winter League is that it has become too popular - what a good problem to have! The League continues to grow bigger every year with 17 new teams joining the action this season taking the total to 80 teams.

However popularity does bring its own problems. Finding enough clubs to host fixtures over the 14-week season has become a real challenge. The demand continues to grow at an unrelenting pace, which we have managed to match with the number of new host greens each season to date. That inevitably moves to a situation where the total number of clubs we have in the pool to invite to become host clubs is reducing every season.

The League is preparing itself for an unprecedented demand for the 2026-27 season. The 8 teams that are playing in the 7-Week Mini-League at Lindley Lib at present are all likely to move to full time League members for next season. The provision of the green at Lindley Liberal Club is only a solution for this year to satisfy the demand of the new team applications received after the 1 July closing date. Rather than lose these eight teams altogether, Lindley Lib kindly offered their green for seven weeks to provide a taste of Winter bowling to these teams.

We definitely need one new host green to cater for the 8 teams currently playing in the 7-Week Mini-Season. The expectation is that we will face another demand from at least 8 other new teams for places in the League for the 2026-27 season. That means we are looking to recruit at least two new host greens for next season. We are acting positively in trying to attract new host clubs to join us.

On Thursday 13 November from 12noon at Netherton Cons the League is hosting a session aimed at any club or individual interested in learning more about the role of a host club. This 30-minute session will provide all the information any club may need to know to see if they are a good fit. Come along and learn how your club could earn up to £6,000 for hosting Winter League matches for one day a week over 14 weeks from October to February. The original incentive was money for the clubs and still is a major factor but it has grown beyond just the financial gains any club can make.

This session is also open to teams or individuals interested in hearing what is involved in joining the League. What are the physical and social benefits of getting out of the house for a real purpose one day a week over the Winter months? There is now no reason that your sport of choice has to end with the end of Summer.

It is no coincidence that we have arranged this session to be held at Netherton Con on a Winter League matchday as we believe that our biggest selling point is the experience of being at the side of the green at a host club when 8 teams are playing at the same time on one green.

The session is open to anyone with a genuine interest in learning what Winter bowling is really all about. You don't have to book in, just turn up on the day, enjoy tea and biscuits with us and give us 30-minutes of your time. Ask us any questions you may have and go away suitably informed to see if your club is a good match for the type of club we are looking for. We look forward to seeing you then.