Clubs

Although the county is relatively small and mainly rural there are between 350 and 400 bowlers involved in short mat bowling being members of the clubs listed below. As at April 2015, there were 130 bowlers registered with the English Short Mat Bowling Association and the county. It will be seen that there were a large number of bowlers not involved in county activities. Registered bowlers are eligible to take part in county competitions, inter county matches, and national competitions through the ESMBA.

Many clubs have their venues in village halls and quite often members will be more interested in the social aspects of their activities rather than the wider potential of competing at county or national level. There must be, however, some bowlers who would like to enhance their bowling experience by competing at county level.

The county extends a warm invitation to any bowler who would like to become involved in county activities to contact either of the following to discuss the arrangements for becoming registered bowlers with the English Short Mat Bowling Association and the county.

The county would like to see an increase in the number of registered bowlers to enable it to field two squads of 20 players for its ESMBA inter county series of matches – it currently fields one.  Additionally the county would like to see more entrants for the annual series of county competitions.

The message here is that there is plenty of opportunity for existing club bowlers to join the county squad and enjoy the additional short mat bowling experience offered by the county.

***** These clubs are affiliated to the Gloucestershire short mat bowling association.

The county will be pleased to hear about any new proposals for the formation of short mat bowling clubs within the county and/or affiliation to the county association.

Links to Short Mat Bowling Websites and Associated Activities