British Isles Bowls Schedule Agreed for 2023
We are pleased to advise that the Home Nations have agreed a competition schedule and format for the 2023 season that includes Senior, Under-25 and Under-18 Internationals as well as the coveted British Isles Championships.
We believe in the importance of British Isles international competition, and everyone is looking forward to the traditional rivalries continuing between England, Ireland, Jersey, Scotland and Wales this summer.
The programme ensures equality across the genders and continues to provide plenty of opportunity for players to experience international bowls both at Senior, Under-25 and Under-18 level. The plans will also provide competitive and effective preparation for all countries ahead of the World Championships later this year in Australia.
The joint men’s and women’s British Isles Championships will kick start the season in Ayr and will take place between Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th June. The event is a great opportunity for those who have won their respective National Championships to test themselves on the international stage.
Following the Championships, the joint Senior international series will also take place in Ayr from Friday 30th June to Sunday 2nd July inclusive. The event will see each country field two teams of 10 women and 10 men. Therefore, there will be 20 men and 20 women in total from each nation with a maximum of 4 reserves to participate in a multi-discipline event featuring singles, pairs, triples and fours matches, except Jersey who will field one team of 10 men and 10 women. Work is ongoing to consider opportunities available to each nation to include para teams in this showcase event as well as the future potential to add in other countries.
The joint Under-25 International series will be held in Llandrindod Wells, Wales, on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September. Following positive feedback from the successful 2022 event in Belfast, the Under-25’s or Junior Series as it is more commonly referred to, will continue in the same format with three rinks of men and three rinks of women. Titles will be awarded to the men’s winners, women’s winners, and an overall combined team winner.
England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will also contest an Under-18 International series, which will provide an exciting stepping-stone for rising stars. The event will enable mixed teams of 12 players to pull on their respective international shirts and will take place in Wales on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August, the venue is still to be confirmed.
Alan McMillan, Bowls Scotland CEO, said: “We are delighted to have agreed an extensive British Isles calendar of events for 2023 alongside England, Ireland, Jersey, and Wales. After a tough couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was great to see competitive bowls return in 2022. We hope the new-look programme will continue to challenge and develop our players to be the best version of themselves.”
More detail on how to be considered for trial for any of the teams will be made available in due course.