1. Administration
(a) Officers of the Council
The County affairs of the Association shall be conducted by the Officers of the Council consisting of:
President
Senior Vice-President
Junior Vice-President
Honorary Secretary
Honorary Assistant Secretary
Honorary Treasurer
Honorary Competition Secretary
Benevolent Secretary
Immediate Past President
Bowls England Delegate
(b) Club Representation
Each affiliated club may send two voting representatives to any Council or General Meeting, including the Annual General Meeting.
All major decisions shall be decided by ballot.
The President shall have the casting vote.
(c) Composition of the Council
The Council consists of:
Officers of the Council
Two voting members from each affiliated club
The Council shall meet as required. The Secretary, after consulting the President, shall notify all relevant members.
(d) Notice of Meetings
Fourteen days’ notice of any Council or General Meeting (including the AGM) shall be given by the Honorary Secretary, except in urgent cases.
(e) Special Meetings
Any affiliated club may requisition a Special Meeting by writing to the Honorary Secretary stating the matter to be discussed.
If deemed sufficiently important, the Council shall instruct the Hon Secretary to call an Extraordinary General Meeting, at which no other business may be transacted.
(f) Honorary Life Members
All Past Presidents shall be appointed Honorary Life Members.
Others may be appointed for special service.
Honorary Life Members may attend meetings without a vote, unless acting as a club delegate.
(g) Financial Year
The financial year ends 30 September.
(h) Nominations & Propositions
Where rules refer to nominations, these must:
Be forwarded by the nominee’s club secretary
Be signed by the nominee, club secretary and club President (or officer)
Be sent by the required deadline
Propositions follow the same formalities.
(i) Annual Progression of Officers
At the AGM:
Senior Vice-President becomes President
Junior Vice-President becomes Senior Vice-President
Nominations for Junior Vice-President must reach the Hon Secretary by 30 September.
(j) Nominations for Executive Positions
Nominations for:
Hon Secretary
Hon Treasurer
Hon Assistant Secretary
Competition Secretary
Benevolent Secretary
Press Officer
Bowls England Delegate
must be received by 30 September, together with any club propositions.
Officers intending to resign must give reasonable notice.
(k) Filling Vacancies
The Executive may fill any vacancy by co-option, subject to ratification at the AGM.
(l) Honorary Secretary Duties
The Honorary Secretary shall conduct the business of the County Section under direction of the Officers of the Council.
(m) Honorary Treasurer Duties
The Treasurer shall:
Receive all monies
Deposit monies into the Section’s bank account
Ensure accounts are paid preferably by cheque with two authorised signatures
Produce an audited balance sheet for the AGM
(n) Records
The Hon Secretary shall keep full records of business transacted at all meetings and report accordingly.
(o) Allowances
Allowances for the forthcoming year shall be decided at the AGM and paid by 29 September.
Any officer under consideration must withdraw from discussion.
(p) Disputes
The Executive shall adjudicate disputes regarding:
Laws of the game
Rules, bye-laws, regulations or conditions
Matters not otherwise covered
Practice, policy, or complaints
Appeals must be stated in writing to the Hon Secretary.
A Special Executive Meeting may be called.
Parties may present their case.
The Executive’s decision is final.
Team Selection
2(a). County Team Selection
A selection committee for the Johns and Walker Cup will consist of:
President (no vote)
Secretary (no vote)
Competition Secretary
Team Captain
Four experienced bowlers (eligible to play)
Non-playing selectors must attend all Johns and Walker matches.
Nominations must be received by 30 September 2025.
County Mixed Knockout (12 ladies + 12 men)
Run and selected jointly with the men.
2(b). County Friendly Selection
Open to all affiliated players.
Players do not need to be entered in County competitions.
Names must be sent to the Assistant County Secretary.
Selection is made by:
Assistant County Secretary
Two area delegates (Area A and Area B)
3. Competition Rules (Leading to National Finals)
All games played under Bowls England Rules 50–70.
(a) Eligibility
Competitions confined to clubs affiliated to Norfolk Bowls Association & Bowls England
A competitor may enter from one club only
Players may represent only the County to which their club is affiliated
(b) Competition Areas
County divided into Area A and Area B.
Entries must be submitted by 31 January with relevant fees.
Draw conducted by:
President
County Secretary
Competition Secretary
Assistant County Secretary
(c) Greens
No County competitions may be played on indoor rinks or non-regulation greens.
(d) Arranging Matches
Challengers must offer two dates, on different days, at least 14 days before the first game.
Opponents must reply within three days.
Fixed date games may be played earlier by agreement.
(e) Start Times
Games may be played any time up to 6.30pm Monday–Friday, or weekends by agreement.
(f) Venue
Games played on the challenger’s green if available; otherwise another affiliated green.
(g) Late Arrival
A side more than 30 minutes late may forfeit the game.
(h) Markers
Challengers must find a marker for singles.
(i) Extensions
No extensions allowed unless authorised by the Competition Secretary and Executive.
International / Johns / Walker players must be allowed flexibility.
(j) Concessions
Competitors conceding must notify the Competition Secretary.
(k) Competition Formats (Blue Riband)
Singles – 4 bowls, 21 shots
Pairs – 4 bowls, 18 ends
Triples – 3 bowls, 18 ends
Fours – 2 bowls, 18 ends
Over 55 Fours – 2 bowls, 18 ends
Junior Singles* – 4 bowls, 21 shots
Junior Pairs* – 3 bowls, 18 ends
Two Wood Singles – 2 bowls, 21 ends
Under 24 on 1 April.
(l) Substitutes
One substitute allowed per team, provided they have not played in the competition.
(m) Tied Games
An extra end shall be played; skips toss for the mat.
(n) Finals
Quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals played on greens chosen by the Executive.
4. County Competitions
Unbadged Singles – 4 bowls, 21 shots
Unbadged Pairs – 4 bowls, 18 ends
Champion of Champions – 4 bowls, 21 shots
Benevolent Triples – 3 bowls, 15 ends
Coronation Triples – 3 bowls, 15 ends
Webb Trophy – Two rinks of fours (8 players), 18 ends
Top Club – Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours
Full rules exactly as provided have been retained and structured for clarity.
5. Disputes
Competition disputes → Competition Secretary
All other disputes → County Secretary (Disciplinary Committee)
6. Points System & County Badge
Full points tables retained exactly as written.
12 points required for a County Badge.
Once earned, points are no longer awarded.
Transferred County players may compete in unbadged events.
7. Johns Trophy & Walker Cup
Flashes awarded after three years participation.
Club nominations must be submitted by 31 March.
County Friendly Matches
Open to all affiliated members.
Bowls England – Additional Competitions 2025
Entered directly via Bowls England website:
Family Pairs
Mixed Pairs
Mixed Fours
Over 55 Singles
Over 55 Pairs
Foundation Pairs
Champion of Champions (Club Winner 2024)
Under 17 Singles
Club-entered B.E. competitions also listed exactly as provided.
County Dress Code
All dress code sections have been preserved exactly, with clear separation and headings.
Includes:
Open Day
2-Wood Singles
President’s Day
County Friendlies
Johns/Walker/Amy Rose
Benevolent Triples
Coronation Triples
County Competitions
County Finals
National Finals
Plus the note on phasing-in of the new County shirt and BE clothing guidance.