New season beckons for Ballymena Bowling Club

Ballymena Bowling Club will hold their official opening on Saturday, March 31, at 2pm. Ballymena Bowling Club President, Mr Joe McKeown and the Club’s Lady President, Mrs Maree Houston will throw the first bowl and it is hoped that there will be a good turnout of members for the official opening.

Weather permitting, a fun bowls tournament will take place after the official opening followed by tea and presentation of prizes for the winners of the fun bowls tournament.

Bowls is now very much an all-age sport and anyone who hasn’t tried outdoor bowls before or would be interested in playing outdoor bowls for the first time will be made most welcome at the Old Ballymoney Road Club and bowls are available for those who would want to try it out.

Ballymena Bowling Club has some special membership offers in place this year in an effort to encourage new players of all ages and abilities in to the sport:

* During the month of April those wishing to try outdoor bowls for the first time can come and play with no fees.

* Half Price Membership is available to new bowlers who subsequently join the Club for the first year.

* Special deals for prospective young bowlers – Junior Membership is free and available to under 14’s. Juvenile Members (any person over 14 years of age but who has not attained 21 years of age) and Student Members (any person over 21 years of age and who is a full time student) can avail of reduced Membership Fees.

This year Ballymena Bowling Club is hoping to field 5 teams in the Northern Ireland Private Greens League. Four of these teams play on a Saturday.

They are Ballymena Seniors, who play in PGL Senior Division 1, Ballymena Juniors who play in PGL Junior Division 1, Ballymena Park Seniors who play in PGL Senior Division 3 and Ballymena Park Juniors who play in PGL Junior Division 3. Ballymena Midweek Park plays on a Wednesday night and they play in PGL Midweek League Division 1.

The Saturday Leagues in particular should be very competitive this year. Last year there were 2 Senior Leagues and 2 Junior Leagues with matches between the Clubs played on a home or away basis.

This year there will be 3 Senior Leagues and 3 Junior Leagues with the Leagues made up of 10 teams and the big difference this year is that teams will play against each other on a home and away basis with the Leagues starting a week earlier and finishing a week later to accommodate 3 additional matches.

Ballymena Ladies also intend to field 2 teams in the Provincial Towns Women’s Bowling Association League this season. Ballymena Senior Ladies play in PTWBA Senior League and Ballymena Junior Ladies play in PTWBA Junior League. These matches are played on a Wednesday afternoon.

Ballymena also have 3 teams in the Northern Ireland Private Greens Veterans League and these matches are played on a Monday afternoon and Ballymena Bowling Club also competes in the Mid Antrim Triples League with matches being played on a week night.

Northern Ireland Private Greens Competitions and Provincial Towns Competitions commence late April/early May and Ballymena Bowling Club Competitions will commence in May. All members are reminded that entries for the above competitions must be received no later than 5pm on opening day, this Saturday.

Ballymena Bowling Club also entertain touring teams from Scotland and England during the season, however details of this year’s teams have yet to be confirmed.

SELECTION

Selection Meetings will take place early in April to pick selectors for five Ballymena Teams – Seniors, Juniors, Senior Park, Junior Park and Midweek. It is important that there is a good turnout of members who want to play Saturday or Wednesday bowls, so that they can have their say in who actually takes on the important role of selecting the teams.

Selectors must have the respect and support from all players so it is important that all members are involved in the selection process. Members are asked to keep an eye on Club notice boards for exact dates of the selection meetings.

Graham Wilson