Four new teams join the Winter League

Winter League

As the summer bowling season gets up a head of steam some of us start to look longer term and consider what happens later in the year. For those who enjoy their bowling in the Veterans League there is a natural transition at the end of the season to move into the Winter League. There is no longer a reason to dread the end of the summer season as the time to stop bowling, stop seeing your teammates and stop socialising.

The Huddersfield Winter League now fills the gap from October to mid-February with weekly outdoor matches for 64 teams at present. We have already received four new team applications ready for next season and hope to have a further 4 new teams to make up a new Division 9 consisting of 8 new teams. The closing date for new team applications for next season is Tuesday 1st July 2025.

The four new teams to date are Kirkheaton Con C, Brockholes C, Mirfield Old Bank and the latest addition this week is a third team from Kirkheaton Cricket & Bowling Club. Two more teams have also expressed an interest in joining the League but they are not over the line yet.

With a Division 9 likely to be required to house the new teams we are also looking for a new host green to serve these bowlers. That amounts to 14 days of bowling during the winter months during which time a club can expect to accumulate a profit of £3,000 to £4,000 plus bar takings if your club can offer such facilities. Two clubs are in discussions with the League about taking on this role but nothing is confirmed yet and we are keen to firm up arrangements as soon as possible.

According to Bowlsnet records the Huddersfield Winter League is the fastest growing league in the country and has been for the last 5 years. There is a good reason for that with friendly competition between bowlers aged 60 or over along with good social and catering factors to add to that.

So any team that is interested in joining the League for an October start is invited to make that known before the 1 July deadline. Similarly any club interested in becoming a ninth host green then full details are available from the League Secretary Jeff Jacklin on 07968 171 197 or by email at jefftheref2000@yahoo.co.uk

Here is a brief look at what winter bowling is all about:

• teams are made up of 4 bowlers who can be of any gender

• matches consist of 2 Singles and 1 Pairs games

• bowlers must have passed their 60th birthday to qualify to bowl

• you don't use your own green in the League as each division is allocated a host green that they play on all season

• teams play once a week on the same day of the week throughout the season

• matches are played on weekdays

• matches are played from October to mid-February

• there is a two-week break over the Christmas period

• League fees are £15 per team per season

• weekly match fees are £12 a team (£3 per bowler) which all goes to the host green which covers green fees, raffle tickets, hot drinks and biscuits for each team member.

• hot drinks along with hot and cold food are always available for spectators at a modest charge.

• we have two individual competitions open to all Winter League bowlers. The Winter Cup is for individuals and attracted 124 entries last season. The new Pairs KO had 82 pairs (164 bowlers) competing for the title in its first season in 2024-25. Both have Division-based qualifying competitions.

Our existing eight host clubs made over £28,000 between them last year by offering their greens to the Winter League. There are other benefits, including bar sales which are not included in this total but are proving to be important in keeping some clubs alive and functioning.

Host clubs select the day of the week that they provide hosting services and they make all the decisions about how their days are managed. The League now has a lot of experience in how to get the most from the hosting responsibilities and will support new hosts in maximising their income.

If you want to know any more details about hosting or putting a team in the League than please contact Jeff Jacklin on 07968 171 197 or by email to jefftheref2000@yahoo.co.uk

Alternatively read our 'Ultimate Guide to Winter Bowling' as a starter which covers some additional information about how the Winter League operates. We look forward to hearing from you in the near future. New team applications are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis, so lodge that interest now and don't miss out on another barren winter devoid of your favourite outdoor sport.