Bowls
Top bowlers in town

THOUSANDS of players and spectators from across England will descend on the town’s famous Victoria Park greens for the annual Bowls England National Championships.

This year’s championships, which run from Saturday, July 28 to Sunday, August 12 promise to be extra special with the event being held over the same 16 day period as the Olympic Games.

More than 1,000 competitors will participate and a total of 14 national titles will be decided with all three of England’s gold medallists from the 2010 Commonwealth Games – Natalie Melmore, Ellen Falkner and Amy Gowshall – among those taking to the green during the championships.

Tony Allcock MBE, Bowls England chief executive, said: “The next few weeks promise to be a tremendous celebration of sport in this country and although bowls is not currently recognised as an Olympic sport, despite the best efforts of ourselves and World Bowls, this does not mean we should not take this opportunity to celebrate all that our sport has to offer.

“Once again we expect thousands of players and spectators to come to the Championships, and clearly would welcome those who may never have been before to come along and see our top players in action.

“With free entry it’s a great day out, especially for those who may not have been able to secure a ticket for the Olympics!”

The opening ceremony will be held on Saturday at 9.30am. This will be conducted by Bowls England president Stuart Lake and Warwick District Council chairman councillor Michael Kinson OBE.

Councillor Kinson added: “Warwick District Council is delighted to play host to the Bowls England National Championships for the 39th consecutive year since it moved to Leamington in 1975.

“With this year’s championships coinciding with the Olympic Games, this is a fantastic time to celebrate more than ever the great contribution that sport can make in the lives of so many people and we look forward to welcoming players and spectators to Victoria Park.”

Play is scheduled every day from 9am to 6pm throughout the championships.

The latest results will be published at the earliest opportunity following the conclusion of each session at: www.bowlsengland.com

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