The crown green bowls season has recently come to a close and what a superb year it has proven to be for Water Orton Bowling Club!

Located adjacent to the playing fields in St Blaise Avenue the club was established in 1939 and has a current membership of 80+ with the majority of those members playing for at least one of the 12 competitive teams in various leagues and throughout the week. In terms of older players there are two over 55’s teams who play on Monday afternoons and three over 60’s teams that play either Tuesday or Wednesday mornings. The club also runs five open age teams who compete on either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings, with another two teams competing in the Birmingham Parks league on Saturday afternoons.

This year has seen huge successes for the club. An over 55 team achieved a cup win and league promotion double. The Tuesday evening team won their divisional cup, whilst a Wednesday evening team finished top of their league. Promotions were also gained by an over 60’s team and a Thursday evening open age team. Finally, the Saturday afternoon first team were crowned champions of their league and went on to represent the Birmingham Parks league in a national team event held in Derby.

Paul Johnson, Club Captain and Head Coach said;

“This has been one of the most successful seasons I can remember at the club. We have teams for all ages and levels of ability and though there is no compulsion on anyone to bowl competitively it is often the case that new members who start out as social bowlers don’t take long to ask if they can play in one of our teams. We have worked hard to ensure that our coaching scheme gives everyone, from whatever background or level of ability, the opportunity to not only learn and enjoy the game but play at a competitive level if that’s their choice. What has pleased me most this season is the number of first season bowlers who have quickly shed their “L” plates and have now become regulars in one or more of our teams. We must be doing something right but like most bowls clubs in the region we are always after more members to take us to even higher levels of success.”

The crown green bowls season runs from March to September when greens close for essential winter maintenance. As well as offering social or competitive bowling Water Orton bowls club hosts a range of open, handicap and pairs competitions in house throughout the season on Sundays. There is also a short mat team who compete indoors during the close season and home games for that team take place on Monday evenings at Water Orton cricket club’ Once again it is a success story as the indoor team were promoted last season. 

March may seem a long way off but if you feel crown green bowls could be for you Paul and the friendly team at Water Orton Bowling Club would be really pleased to hear from you as they are already preparing their coaching schedule for 2023, so just e-mail paul.wobc@gmail.com