New Bowlers

Lawn bowls is a low-impact, therapeutic exercise that can improve fitness, coordination and confidence. It is also fun, social and likely to establish long-term friendships.

Bowlers with no experience of playing lawn bowls are very welcome at our Club. We are open to bowlers from age 8 to 90 and regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability and whether you wish to play the sport socially or competitively. Most of our members started by playing socially before playing competitively.

If I decide to join, what kit will l need?

When you are a beginner, you will need to wear a pair of flat soled shoes on the green.

To begin with the Club will lend you a set of bowls (also called “woods”).

Once you decide that the sport is for you then you will want to buy a set of your own. It is recommended that a beginner buy a second-hand set which can always be found on the internet.

What to wear?

You will need to buy flat soled bowls shoes and acquire a Club shirt.

If you want to play competitively then when playing in league or competition matches above the waist players wear club shirts. Below the waist they have the freedom to choose to wear trousers, culottes, skirts, skorts or tailored shorts. Our members usually wear light grey slacks, trousers or tailored shorts.

There is no dress code for club roll-ups.

As you progress you will need:

a bag to carry your bowls
a bowls measure
spray chalk for “touchers”
waterproofs and drying cloths, for an English summer

When the weather is inclement the rules of the Leagues we play in provide for the game times to be reduced.

Experienced bowlers welcome

We also welcome applications to join from bowlers who have played at other bowls clubs. You will need to have two sponsors from existing Club members. If you do not know any members, then come along on our Open Day, or send us a message on our "Contact Us" page.

The Leagues we play in

We have teams in Division 1 of the Cambridge & District League and Division 2 of the Ely & District Afternoon League.

Social bowls

The Club has a very active core of members who prefer not to play competitively and enjoy the more relaxed environment of the "roll-up". They are well catered for as we have organised roll-ups on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00am until 1.30pm (the green is closed on the mornings of Monday, Wednesday and Friday).

Rinks are available for booking in the afternoons between 2.00pm to 5.30pm and in the evenings from 6.00pm (5.30pm from 1 September) to dusk.

Bookings must be entered in the Club Diary located in the club room. Restrictions can apply for a range of reasons, but there will be notices posted on the board in the veranda area.

On some Mondays and Fridays three rinks will be used for Ely & District League matches.

On some evenings 4 rinks will be used for the Cambridge & District League matches.

Coaching

One of our members Clint Tweed is a coach who is qualified to help beginners and improvers. He is happy to give some time to help new bowlers with the rudiments of the game. Coaching is a continuing activity throughout the early part of the season.

More experienced bowlers can also ask for help on aspects of their game.

Etiquette

Friendly sporting acts towards teammates and opponents are appreciated and reciprocated. We always shake hands with our opponents at the beginning and end of a game.

Players should keep still and not talk while others on their rink are delivering their bowls.
Waving an opponent’s bowl “through” if it is going past the jack is discouraged.
When players are at the head, they should stand behind the jack.
Swearing and bad language will not be tolerated.
Smoking and vaping on the Green is not permitted at any time.
Switch off your mobile phone when you are on the Green. If it rings it may disturb those who are bowling.

You can learn some other important issues by studying our etiquette tips on our Rules page.

YouTube

If you prefer there are videos on YouTube from players in various parts of the world giving advice on most aspects of the game including the fundamentals:
Holding the bowl “the grip” and explaining the bias.
Placing the mat, delivering the jack and how far the jack must be delivered to be a legal length. The minimum distance depends on the league you are playing in.
Finding the correct line.

Remember

If you watch the top bowlers, you will see many different styles. There is no single right way of playing the sport of bowls.

Want to join?

If you would like to join us and to play, then complete the application form on our "Contact Us" page or
if you have any queries please contact:

Val Hughes
Tel: 01353 740934
Mobile: 07866777417
Email: valeriehughes2@hotmail.com

The club subscription year is April to September. New members will be entitled to a reduction in the annual subscription.