Ladies Competition Regulations

Competition Rules  and Regulations 2026.

Competitions leading to National finals ( Blue Riband events as defined by B.E) A fuller version of the rules are available on the B.E. website.

All games will be played in accordance with the rules set out by Bowls England Rules 50-70.

 All competitions shall be confined to those clubs which are affiliated to Norfolk Bowls Association and Bowls England. No competitor shall allow their name to be submitted for entry in the junior singles, junior pairs, singles, pairs, triples, fours and senior fours competitions by more than one Club in any one year.

 The County to which their one club is affiliated is the only County for which the player may compete in National championships and inter County competitions.

 For purposes of the competitions the County will be divided into Area A and Area B.

Entries for all competitions and the subsequent draws will be made on the Competitions portal. Clubs will be notified when the site is live. Entries must be in by the specified date.

Games to be played on the Challengers green if available; otherwise an alternative affiliated green may be us.

Games can be played at any time up to 6.30pm start Monday to Friday, also weekends by mutual agreement.

If one side is more than thirty minutes late after the fixed time for the game, the game may be claimed by their opponents.

The winners of each tie must enter the result on the portal.

Where indicated in the draw, games will be played by the date set, or on the given date.  From the quarter finals onwards the games will be played on the set date and venues organised by the Competitions secretary.

In case of a game already started not being completed due to exceptional circumstances, the game must be completed three days before the start of the next round. Games must be played from the score already on the card and on the same rink if possible.

Players must make themselves available for the semi and finals. Exceptions may be made by the executive. The player must inform the County Competitions secretary at least seven days before the event if they are unable to play.

No extensions of the time set for various rounds of County competitions will be allowed unless special permission is given by the Competition secretary and the County Executive. Players selected for International duty, Walker Cup and Johns Trophy must be allowed to play all County competitions.

No County competitions to be played on indoor rinks or greens which do not comply with B.E rules.

Challengers to give two dates and different days of the week at least 14 days before the date of the first game and thereafter within three days of the end of each successive round.

 Opponents shall reply within three days accepting one of these dates offered unless already playing another B.E competition when an additional date must be given.

 Fixed date games may be played before the date by mutual agreement between the players. If a problem occurs please contact the Competition secretary.

  Competitors who concede a County game must inform the Competitions secretary and their opponents. Any action deemed necessary will be dealt with in accordance with B.E.

Challengers (home player) to find a marker for singles games.

Competition format for the following Blue Riband events:

Two wood singles: two bowls, 21 ends, player to concede if they cannot win.

*Entrants must be Under 24 on the Ist April in the year of the competition.

 In Pairs, Triples and Fours the players taking part in the first game shall constitute the team and shall normally play together throughout the competition.  One additional and the same player may, however, be used as a substitute at any time, provided they has not already played in the competition.  They may play in any position.

 In the event of a tie, an extra end shall be played.  The skips to toss and the winner has the right to decide who shall play first.

 Quarter finals, Semi-finals and finals to be played on greens chosen by the Executive.

 Competition rules played within the County.

President’s Rose Bowl will be held on a set date for unbadged players. This will be 3 bowl pairs, the pair may consist of players from different clubs. The format will be round robin played on one day with the finals to follow. This will be held a set date. See calendar for the season with regards to these dates. Entries will be made through ………………………………………….

The Benevolent Triples (three bowls round robin of six ends per game) to be played up to the quarter finals on one day. Quarter, semi and final, 15 ends to be played on one day. Triples may consist of players from more than one club.

Format: round robin. Finals to follow on a set date.

The Coronation triples. (three bowls/15 ends), all players from the same club.

Format: knockout. Finals to follow on a set date.

Entries for the Benevolent and Coronation triples must be submitted to the Competitions secretary on the required form, along with the entry fees. The draw to be conducted by the President, County secretary and Competition secretary.

Disputes.

 Any disputes in the first instance involving competitions should be addressed to the Competition Secretary who will call a meeting of the Executive. Any other disputes should be sent to the County secretary to be discussed. If it is considered appropriate it will be referred to the County Disciplinary or Safeguarding officer.

County Dress is in line with Bowls England dress code.

  * The new County shirt and black below the waist worn for friendly games from May 2026 onwards.

Please note: your club uniform may consist of:

Club shirt and B.E regulation colours below the waist, Club shirt and matching colours below the waist. In all competitions, all members of the team must wear club or white tops and the same colours below the waist.

Refer to B.E website, Document Club and Clothing guidance issued June 2023, this contains the latest information for clubs.

Rules and regulations revised December 2025.

To be revised as and when appropriate to bring rules and regulations in line with Bowls England changes.