Frequently Asked Questions
Bowls is an uncomplicated sport, and we are keen to ensure that those who participate in our events can do so as easily as possible. This guidance document responds to some of the questions asked most frequently by players.
We are determined to make bowls truly accessible in order to increase participation in our sport. Bowls’ Big Weekend is the focal point of our work nationally to promote our sport and give new people the opportunity to have a go.
This year Bowls’ Big Weekend will run from Friday 26th May to Monday 29th May. The inclusion of the Bank Holiday (Monday 29th May) will provide clubs with greater flexibility to arrange their event and benefit from the national marketing campaign.
In 2022, more than 16 people attended each open day. We are confident that demand will be even higher in 2023 as we build on the positive promotion of our sport during the Commonwealth Games last year.
When you register, you will receive our Club Guide, as well as information on available webinars we are running.
We will provide you with a digital platform where you can download social media graphics, poster & flyer templates, and also order more printed marketing material if required. This will be available to clubs from w/c 27th March.
Ahead of the event, you will also receive a club resources pack, with flyers, posters, balloons and more. These will be sent out to the addresses provided from early April.
We are hosting a number of webinars in support of clubs on the following topics:
- Market Your Club – The Rise of Digital Bowls Clubs (27 March)
- Recruitment & Retention – Maximising Bowls Big Weekend (28 March)
- How to run a successful Open Day – Club Helpers (28 March)
- Market Your Club – Make the Most of the Media (29 March)
- How to run a successful Open Day – Club Helpers (30 March)
- Recruitment & Retention – Maximising Bowls Big Weekend (30 March)
- Collecting Information – It’s Safer Than You Think! (tbc)
- Volunteer Engagement – More Means Less! (tbc)
- Are We Ready Yet? – Plan a Perfect Event (tbc)
- What a Day – Dress (the club) to Impress! (tbc)
- Bowls’ Big Weekend – Make My Day! (tbc)
- Bowls’ Big Weekend – What Next? (tbc)
All clubs who register an event will have the opportunity to book a free place on these webinars. Recordings will also be available to view online for those unable to make any of the dates.
To book on please visit https://bowlsdevelopmentalliance.com/education/
We encourage you to give some thought to days/times that your club can put aside to welcome new participants. In particular, feedback has shown that the most successful clubs have generally concentrated effort on a single event during the period rather than spreading their resources across the four days.
Only clubs running an event during Bowls’ Big Weekend should sign up on this website as our national marketing and promotional material will focus on the event. Generic recruitment material will be available as part of our wider club offer for those clubs who wish to organise recruitments events at other times of the season.
As part of the registration search, please click on the pin icon to view the clubs accessibilities.
