Coventry Bowling League 2025
Welcome to the Coventry & District Bowling League
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Thu 20th Nov
Dear Secretary,
Please find attached a copy of the Agenda & the proposed Notice of Motions for rule changes that have been submitted to the Management Committee, these will be heard at the Rules Revision and League Formation meeting being held on Monday 8th December 2025 at Bedworth Ex-Servicemen's Club - 7.15 p.m. start.
In accordance with Rule 4.c. (Motions) - Any Club wishing to move an amendment to a notified Notice of Motion shall notify the League Secretary seven days prior to the date of the meeting at which the Notice of Motion is to be considered, in this case this will be Monday 1st December 2025.
It would also be appreciated if Clubs could please indicate their intention of submitting or withdrawing teams for the 2026 season, we have already indicated that the deadline for this would be end of 2025 but early indication would be appreciated.
No further proposed rule changes can be submitted.
A copy of the minutes from the 2024 Rules Revision & League formation meeting are attached.
Regards
Martin
A. League Governance (Proposed by League Management Committee)
2. Business of The League
Current wording
c. Any Club not represented by at least one Delegate will be fined £2.00 and the sum of £5.00 for consecutive meetings. After three consecutive missed meetings The Club will be fined £15.00 and be liable to suspension from The League
Proposed Wording
c. Any Club not represented by at least one Delegate will be fined £5.00 and the sum of £10.00 for consecutive meetings. After three consecutive missed meetings The Club will be fined £20.00 and be liable to suspension from The League
B League Membership (Proposed by League Management Committee)
2. Fees
Current wording
b. League fees and Team registrations to be paid by 31st May and balance by 31st October. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, any Club not settled by the date due shall be fined £10.00.
Proposed wording
b. League fees and Team registrations to be paid by 31st October. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, any Club not settled by the date due shall be fined £10.00.
B League Membership (Proposed by Foleshill Gas)
3. Observance of Rules
Current wording - a. These rules shall be upheld as published by The League, and no plea for ignorance shall absolve any Club or Club Member.
b. No complaint shall be considered, unless the complainant has deposited the sum of £25.00 with the League Secretary, together with the written protest or complaint. Deposit to be returned if the protest or complaint is upheld.
c. An ad hoc committee shall be appointed to deal with all such protests and complaints. A Club or Club Member disagreeing with the result of a complaint or protest shall have the right of appeal to the County Association.
d. Each Club membership shall be deemed to have accepted all League Rules, and have agreed to abide by all Management Committee and League Council decisions. Interpretation of the League Rules shall be vested in the Management Committee and the League Council. They shall have jurisdiction over all League matters and the power to adjudicate on any matter not covered by the League Rules.
Proposed Wording – a. These rules shall be upheld as published by The League, and no plea for ignorance shall absolve any Club or Club Member.
b. No complaint shall be considered, unless the complainant has deposited the sum of £25.00 with the League Secretary, together with the written protest or complaint. Deposit to be returned if the protest or complaint is upheld.
c. Once in receipt of the complaint and the necessary monies the complaint will be handled in line with BCGBA Disciplinary Policy, BDA Safeguarding Policy and BDA Anti-bullying policy.
d. Each Club membership shall be deemed to have accepted all League Rules and have agreed to abide by all Management Committee and League Council decisions. Interpretation of the League Rules shall be vested in the Management Committee and the League Council. They shall have jurisdiction over all League matters and the power to adjudicate on any matter not covered by the League Rules.
C. Player Registration and Transfers (Proposed by Foleshill Gas)
1. Registration
Current Wording – e. No player shall play in more than one Team on the same day.
Proposed Wording – e. No player shall play in more than one Team on the same day. Where a club has more than one team in the same league players can only play against other teams in the league a maximum of twice.
Current Wording - f. Clubs are usually expected to play their best players in their highest placed teams. The League reserves the right to take action where it deems this is not the case.
f. Clubs are usually expected to play their best players in their highest placed teams. The League reserves the right to take action where it deems this is not the case. Where a captain of a team feels this rule is being broken the Club Secretary can raise this with the Match Secretary who will provide feedback. Within the last 4 games players cannot move teams to play in a team in a lower division.
(If the above rule proposal fails) Player Registration and Transfers – Registration
Current Wording – f. Clubs are usually expected to play their best platers in their highest placed teams. The League reserves the right to take action where it deems this is not the case.
Proposed Wording – f. Clubs are usually expected to play their best players in their highest placed teams. The League reserves the right to take action where it deems this is not the case. Where a captain of a team feels this rule is being broken the Club Secretary can raise this with the Match Secretary who will provide feedback.
D. Matches – (Proposed by Foleshill Gas)
2. Clothing
Current Wording – a. In League Matches and Competitions all Players must wear suitable clothing. Complaints for non-observance should be made before the start of a game by the opposing Captain or the Official in the finals. Non-observance of the rule will result in the offending Club being fined £5.00 or in a final the Player may be banned from playing.
b. In League Matches, one day competitions and Merit preliminary rounds, Players may wear trousers, jeans, tracksuit bottoms, or at least knee length skirts, dresses or shorts.
c. Hard or block heel footwear must NOT be worn on the green. Shell suits and sleeveless tops are not allowed.
d. The only permitted dress for Players in merit finals is full length single coloured trousers, and shirts with sleeves and collar. Ladies may wear single coloured skirts at least knee length.
Proposed Wording – a. In League Matches and Competitions all players must comply with the BCGBA dress code.
b. Complaints for non-observance should be made before the start of a game by the opposing Captain or the Official in the finals. Non-observance of the rule will result in the offending Club being fined £5.00 or in a final the Player may be banned from playing.
c. Any non-observance of the rules is to be added the Match Sheet.
D. Matches – (Proposed by Foleshill Gas)
3. Match Rules
Current Wording – b. Teams shall consist of 12 players for the Saturday League, eight Players for the Midweek League and six players for the Sunday League.
Proposed Wording – b. Teams shall consist of 12 players for the Saturday League, eight Players for the Midweek League and six players for the Sunday League.
The exception to this rule is on a Saturday in leagues below Division 2. Teams that participate below Division 2 can have a maximum of 2 players play twice in the same game. Players who represent teams twice must:
- Play their first games in position 1 & 2
- Play their second games in position 11 & 12.
- The first games will be scored as per E.1. One for each individual game won. Shot difference will also count towards the overall aggregate score.
- The second games will be scored at 0.5 points for a game win and any positive shot difference will not count towards the overall aggregate score. For opposition players who are not playing their second game scoring will be as per E.1 and positive shot difference will count.
Team Captains must make it known that they will be playing with players playing twice in advance of the draw.
D. Matches – (Proposed by Griff & Coton)
Current Wording
b. Teams shall consist of 12 Players for the Saturday League, eight Players for the Mid-Week League and six Players for the Sunday League
Proposed wording
b. Teams shall consist of 10 Players for the Saturday League, eight Players for the Mid-Week League and six Players for the Sunday League
D. Matches – (Proposed by Bedworth Ex-Service)
4. Times
Current Wording
a. Saturday Matches to start by 3:00pm, Mid-Week Leagues at 6:30pm (6:00pm all games in April and September or any Match week that has any days that fall in these months). These times must be adhered to and may only be varied in special circumstances by mutual agreement between the Clubs concerned
Proposed Wording
a. Saturday Matches to start by 2:00pm, Mid-Week Leagues at 6:30pm (6:00pm all games in April and September or any Match week that has any days that fall in these months). These times must be adhered to and may only be varied in special circumstances by mutual agreement between the Clubs concerned
E. Scoring & Results (Proposed by League Management Committee)
3. Absentees
Current Wording
a. Absentees to be counted as walkovers. An absentee Player will not be eligible to participate in a rearranged Match and no substitute will be allowed for an absentee Player.
Proposed Wording
a. Absentees to be counted as walkovers. An absentee Player will not be eligible to participate in a rearranged Match and no substitute will be allowed for an absentee Player, each absentee will result in a £1 fine per walkover.
F Scheduling (Proposed by League Management Committee)
Postponing Matches
Current Wording
3. a. All matches must be played on the date in the handbook, or by mutual agreement on a date not more than twenty-one days after the date specified in the handbook. The exceptions being if the green is unplayable or through exceptional circumstances with full agreement from the League Management Committee. In the event of postponement or adjournment, notice of such must be sent by the team responsible for calling off the match to the Match Secretary. Infringement of this beyond three days will result in a fine of £5.00.
b. If postponement of all or any part of a match is necessary due to green being unplayable, teams must agree and must complete the fixture within 28 days of the original date.
c. Any Match cancelled during the last four weeks of the season must be played within seven days of the end of the season
Proposed Wording
3a. All matches must be played on the date in the handbook, or by mutual agreement on a date not more than twenty-one days after the date specified in the handbook.
3b. The exception to rule 3a. applies should any Club have more than one team in any League (i.e “A”, “B”, etc) where the team to be re-scheduled must be the lowest ranked team in any Club, as such in this scenario all “A” Team fixtures must be played on the date in the handbook. Clubs with two or more teams in any League can therefore only postpone and reschedule “B” team or lower ranked teams in accordance with rule F Scheduling 3a
3c The exceptions to the above being if the green is unplayable or through exceptional circumstances with full agreement from the League Management Committee. In the event of postponement or adjournment, notice of such must be sent by the team responsible for calling off the match to the Match Secretary. Infringement of this beyond three days will result in a fine of £5.00
3d. If postponement of all or any part of a match is necessary due to green being unplayable, teams must agree and must complete the fixture within 28 days of the original date.
3e. Any Match cancelled during the last four weeks of the season must be played within seven days of the end of the season
3f The League allows for matches to be played earlier than the date in the handbook if mutually agreed
G. Rules for Premier League Only (Proposed by Foleshill Gas)
Current Wording
1. Away players will have the first cast of the jack.
2. Teams winning away will be awarded 3 points.
3. Teams finishing first and second in Premier Two will obtain automatic promotion, replacing teams in Premier One finishing ninth and ten respectively.
4. The dress code will be plain black trousers or black tailored shorts, and a collared shirt, all of the same colour. N.B. Reasonable dispensation will be given to non-regular players covering for sickness or holiday.
5. Matches brought forward or re-arranged through bad weather cannot be split.
6. Eight players from each Premier 1 & Premier 2 teams shall be automatically entered into the North Midlands Senior Merit.
Proposed Wording
1. Away players will have the first cast of the jack.
2. Teams winning away will be awarded 3 points.
3. Teams finishing first and second in Premier Two will obtain automatic promotion, replacing teams in Premier One finishing ninth and tenth respectively.
4. The dress code will follow the BCGBA dress code. All players representing clubs in the Premier Leagues must wear a collared top of the same colour of all other players of that team. N.B. Reasonable dispensation will be given to non-regular players covering for sickness or holiday.
5. Matches brought forward or re-arranged through bad weather cannot be split.
6. REMOVED
Wed 29th Oct
Dear All,
The Coventry & District, North Midlands (male) & Coventry Ladies League Presentation is being held on Saturday 8th November at Newdigate Sports & Social Club.
I do have some spare tickets so if you need any more please let me know by end of Friday 31st October when I will firm up the buffet numbers.
The Presentation is aiming to start at 7 p.m. prompt due to the number of presentations we have to conduct - so please can you get all your attendees seated by then.
The room will be set out in Club order and names on tables - please make sure that you only sit on the allocated tables.
The order of events is proposed as follows:
Opening comments (7 p.m.)
Coventry Ladies Presentation
North Midlands Presentation
Coventry & District Presentation
Raffle Tickets sale (£255 Prizes) - please ensure your members bring cash !!!!
Buffett (8.15 p.m.)
Raffle draw
Music (8.45 p.m.)
Bar Closes (11.30 p.m.)
Evening concludes (11.45 p.m.)
I look forward to seeing you all there.
Regards
Martin
Sat 20th SepThe final competition for the Coventry League, The Jack Hughes, will be played next Sunday, 28th September.
It will be at Potters Green Club and the start time will be 11.00 due to the number of entries received so far.
If everyone could check that I have them entered, the list of current entries can be found on Bowls results. https://bowlsresults.co.uk/competitions/results.php?compid=28&yearid=2025&web=coventry&if=0&ret=0&qual=0
Please let me know if I have omitted anyone in error, or if you will not be attending as the draw will be done and posted on Tuesday night. I will also be putting staggered start times to give some people a lie in.
The Coventry Sunday Merits will be played at Stoke Coventry on Sunday 15th June
Due to current entry numbers the draw will be made on the day
Registration will end at 12.50 pm, competition start will be 1.00 pm
Tue 3rd JunDear Secretary
Please note that the next Coventry & District League meeting will be held on Monday 9th June, importantly please note this meeting will be held at Stoke Coventry Club at 7.15 p.m.
See you all on Monday
Martin
Sun 20th Apr
Please note the below League rules regarding start times as we move from April to May..............
Saturday Matches to start by 3:00pm, Mid-Week Leagues at 6:30pm (6:00pm all games in April and September or any Match week that has any days that fall in these months). These times must be adhered to and may only be varied in special circumstances by mutual agreement between the Clubs concerned
This indicates that all matches scheduled for Thursday 1st May should commence at 6 p.m. - please however confrm with your apponents to be clear.
Sat 19th Apr
Dear Secretary,
Unfortunately I have been advised by Coundon Bowling Club that due to a lack of players Coundon will have to withdraw their Midweek "C" team from the League - Coundon "C" had been due to play in Division 3 - they will now be removed form the League.
Please ensure all captains within Division 3 are aware of this change.
Fri 18th AprHi just to inform that Lime Tree B have withdrawn from the Thursday Div 3 league
Wed 16th AprThe Bill Carter Draw is now available on the results page of competitions
Can winning teams of Brandish Cup and Bill Carter Cup please send me an image of the sheet to WhatsApp 07767807383. Thank you
Tue 8th Apr
Brandish Cup
Please note that the Brandish Cup draw has now been made and is included on this website - fixtures to be played on the 15th & 17th April.
Wed 12th Feb
Some of you may be aware that Len Peach has decided to no longer run the tuesday afternoon, Len Fulleylove has offered to run this League he will organise all fixtures & should be able to create this to display on this webpage once completed could all clubs send captain details to him via email to lennyfulleylove@hotmail.com.
Tue 4th FebDear Secretary,
Please find attached the proposed League formation for the 2025 season, this is currently a draft and will be verified by all Clubs at the AGM on Monday 10th February.
Initially could I please ask all Clubs to review the formation and should you have any changes then please advise the committee ASAP - we are looking to ensure no teams will be withdrawn at this point.
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24/05/2025 big bowls weekend
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07/06/2025 county merits
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05/07/2025 Saturday merits
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26/07/2025 all England
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23/08/2025 bank holiday weekend
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11/06/2025 merits
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02/07/2025 free week catch up
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05/06/2025 merits
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03/07/2025 free week catch up
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25/05/2025 big bowls weekend/Sunday pairs
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15/06/2025 Sunday merits
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24/08/2025 Bank holiday
Coming soon 2025 fixtures
Fri 3rd Nov 2023
Well with only a day to go before this years Annual Presentation Night at Newdigate Club, thought it would be good to advise you on the order of events:
- We have sold out of tickets which is excellent.
- We are unable to change or refund tickets now as food is ordered and seating plan completed.
- Unfortunately we will be unable to entertain any one who wants to attend on the night due to numbers & the Clubs fire regulations.
- Please bring your tickets with you.
- Please try and arrive and be seated for around 7 p.m.
- We are trying to commence the presentation as early as possible.
- With around 60 Trophies and awards to present this will take a while.
- We will be asking that every attendee is courteous throughout all the awards - its important each winner gets the same support from all attendees.
- We have £250 worth of raffle prizes - so please bring CASH with you.
- On arrival can you please make sure your Club members sit in the seats allocated - with the room full there is no space to be moving things around.
- We hope to complete the presentation by 8.30 pm latest
- This will be followed by the Buffet - Clubs will be asked to collect food by table.
- Following Buffet we will have the Raffle draw followed by Disco
- Bar will close at 11.30 pm.
I am sure this will be a fantastic night and a celebration of the Bowling successes throughout 2023