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We are always happy to welcome those who are new to bowling, at our club |
There are sections for both Ladies and for MenOnce proficient there are a number of league teams in which bowlers can volunteer to play, but for those with less competitive nature there are regular friendly matches with other clubs |  |
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The following notes are designed for those new to the game, with some later paragraphs on the leagues in which Brentwood bowlers play |
Now that you have joined a bowls club, you will probably have had a few roll-ups with your friends.
But bowls is about sociability, and later about competitiveness.
Once you have had a few roll-ups you will hopefully want to join in with some of the other activities. We regularly organise Friendly Matches where you can join in with other bowlers in a match against another club. Please do not think that you are not good enough to take part. These matches are organised in such a way that you can be quietly introduced to the wider world of bowls. No-one is going to give you a hard time, or expect you to perform miracles (or, at least they shouldn't). It is very likely that the opposition have players very like yourself on their team. A friendly match takes place over three to six rinks, usually with four players of mixed sexes from each team on each rink (Lead, 2,3 and Skip). New bowlers are usually put in at the No. 2 position, as this is the least onerous place to play. A lead is expected to get his or her side off to a good start; a No.3 is expected to do all the hard work, and the Skip takes all of the credit (or so some would have you believe), or performs near miracles to get his team out of a mess (you may decide yourself which role you think the Skip is playing!).
At this point, a cautionary word or two on the subject of "firing" might be appropriate. Firing (playing a shot with weight, ranging from carefully controlled to a full-blooded delivery) is a part of the game. Many newcomers to the game find it rather intimidating, off-putting or something which for them spoils the game. But it does have a place in the game, usually when there is no chance of getting a result in any other way. In a normal fours game, firing is usually either done by the skip (in desperation) or by the number 3 on instructions from the skip. Most skips realise that this is a last resort, and that the draw shot, or a shot to trail the jack, is a better option. Bowlers who fire frequently are probably quietly demonstrating their inability to play the more skillful shot. Finally, a firing shot that misses is a waste of a wood - next time you are playing with someone who fires, count the number of times the shot fails, as opposed to the number of times it succeeds - once the wood is in the ditch, it is no longer a part of the game (unless it was a toucher) and is a wasted opportunity.
We will be organising Club Competitions, and we would encourage you to enter these even though you may feel that you are not good enough. This is especially true of the pairs events, because you will get your partner from a draw - you may draw a Club Champion as your partner, or you may (like most) draw one of the regulars.
If you really feel that you want to try your hand against a wider selection of players, then there are a variety of other competitions and open days at which you can try your hand. Some of these are exclusively for men, some exclusively for ladies, and many are mixed. Details of all of them will be posted on the notice boards. No-one will push you into them, although if you show enough promise we might actively encourage you to enter them.
On a wider stage, the E.C.B.A and the E.C.W.B.A. organise County Competitions. For the men, Open and Unbadged Singles (the latter excludes those who have achieved County Badge status), Pairs, Triples and Fours. For the Ladies, Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours. Entries for these have to be in before the beginning of January each year, for the coming season.
The County divides the many clubs into Groups. The Brentwood men are in Group 4. Group 4 has its own officers, and organises inter-group matches and other competitions. Notice of these will be posted on the boards as we receive them.
Moving on, there are National Competitions. These start on a regional basis, where you would only meet players whom you have probably already met in Friendly matches. The competitions which attract most support are the National Over 55s Singles and Pairs (Men), and the National Pairs, Triples and Fours.
Romford, Brentwood and Thurrock Districts organise Representative Matches where you will play for the District rather than for the Club. Sheets asking for names for these will be posted on the notice board as we receive them.
Open Competitions.
Invitations to "Open" Competitions come in two forms: those which are addressed to the Club (and which should come through the Secretary or the Match & Competitions Secretary). Those which come to the Club will be posted on the board so that anyone who wishes to be considered to represent the Club may offer themselves for selection. Personal invitations (addressed to individuals, and not specifying that this / her is a club invitation) are at the discretion of the individuals concerned. It may be that they wish to enter with persons from another club rather than with members of the Ford Sports Club. However, recipients of personal invitations may wish to offer them to the members at large, in which case it would help if they did this / her through the Match & Competitions Secretary.
Rink Bookings.
A diary is kept in the club house in which rinks can be booked for County, District and Club Competitions, or even for roll-ups.
However, the following order of precedence will be adhered to.