INTRODUCTION
Whenever you take up a new sport or join a new Club, you are faced with a steep learning curve which can seem quite daunting. There are lots of rules to assimilate at the same time as developing new skills. To add to this, there are the Club's own internal processes and practices which you will need to get to grips with in due course.
The information below aims to give you a head start by providing a high level overview of some of the main topics. There are links at various points to direct you to further information.
There's a lot to take in and you won't be expected to remember it all.
THE GAME
If you are new to the game, here are some things you need to know:
Uniform: The Club's dress code is a white top and grey trousers / slacks / skirt, plus suitable footwear When you play against another club you will also be expected to wear an official Club badge, and display Club stickers on your woods.
Rules: As you might imagine, there are a whole set of official rules governing the game. We use the Worthing League* version which is closely based on the set published by the English Short Mat Bowls Association. When you first start bowling, you will be guided by other members. If at any point you feel the need to study the rules in detail, you can download the ESMBA rules from their website.
Etiquette: Alongside the rules, there are a set of guidelines dealing with conduct, sportsmanship, etc. You should familiarise yourself with these at an early stage (see Etiquette)
Format: You will come across a variety of different formats. The most common is (Full) Rinks where each team is made up of four players bowling two woods each. You will also encounter Triples - three players per team bowling either two or three woods each; Pairs - two per team bowling either two or three woods each; and Singles - one per team bowling four woods.
Be aware that there are specific responsibilities depending on what position you play in. These are covered in the official rules and also on the Etiquette page.
THE CLUB
Governance:
The aim is to keep bureaucracy to a minimum and to this end a small team of volunteers is appointed each year to manage essential day to day functions. As far as possible, communication with members makes use of technology (ie text / mobile phone / email).
Club Nights:
Please try to arrive promptly for the start of the session to help with setting out the equipment and picking the teams. There will be a break at some point in the evening where we all stop for refreshments.
Other:
If there is sufficient demand, and provided that there are members willing to organise them, competitions and / or social events may be arranged at various points in the year. The dates of these will be published on the Club Diary page.
* As from 2022/23 the Worthing League no longer exists. The Club has a copy of the last set of rules published by the League. You can also download a copy of the ESMBA rules on the Downloads page.
Whenever you take up a new sport or join a new Club, you are faced with a steep learning curve which can seem quite daunting. There are lots of rules to assimilate at the same time as developing new skills. To add to this, there are the Club's own internal processes and practices which you will need to get to grips with in due course.
The information below aims to give you a head start by providing a high level overview of some of the main topics. There are links at various points to direct you to further information.
There's a lot to take in and you won't be expected to remember it all.
THE GAME
If you are new to the game, here are some things you need to know:
Uniform: The Club's dress code is a white top and grey trousers / slacks / skirt, plus suitable footwear When you play against another club you will also be expected to wear an official Club badge, and display Club stickers on your woods.
Rules: As you might imagine, there are a whole set of official rules governing the game. We use the Worthing League* version which is closely based on the set published by the English Short Mat Bowls Association. When you first start bowling, you will be guided by other members. If at any point you feel the need to study the rules in detail, you can download the ESMBA rules from their website.
Etiquette: Alongside the rules, there are a set of guidelines dealing with conduct, sportsmanship, etc. You should familiarise yourself with these at an early stage (see Etiquette)
Format: You will come across a variety of different formats. The most common is (Full) Rinks where each team is made up of four players bowling two woods each. You will also encounter Triples - three players per team bowling either two or three woods each; Pairs - two per team bowling either two or three woods each; and Singles - one per team bowling four woods.
Be aware that there are specific responsibilities depending on what position you play in. These are covered in the official rules and also on the Etiquette page.
THE CLUB
Governance:
The aim is to keep bureaucracy to a minimum and to this end a small team of volunteers is appointed each year to manage essential day to day functions. As far as possible, communication with members makes use of technology (ie text / mobile phone / email).
Club Nights:
Please try to arrive promptly for the start of the session to help with setting out the equipment and picking the teams. There will be a break at some point in the evening where we all stop for refreshments.
Other:
If there is sufficient demand, and provided that there are members willing to organise them, competitions and / or social events may be arranged at various points in the year. The dates of these will be published on the Club Diary page.
* As from 2022/23 the Worthing League no longer exists. The Club has a copy of the last set of rules published by the League. You can also download a copy of the ESMBA rules on the Downloads page.