WATCH THIS SPACE FOR COACHING NEWS FOR THE 25/26 SEASON

Bookings are now being taken for the popular annual Pollard Programme held on a Thursday, at 1.00-3.50pm and a Saturday, 10-12.30pm. We are aware that many of you will not be familiar with this Programme but put simply, each week we will concentrate on the positions in a Rink game - Lead, No. 2, Three and Skip.

The programme will prepare those newer bowlers who are looking to join/rejoin Outdoor Bowls Clubs in the forthcoming season and assist more established bowlers to continue to improve their skills and knowledge of the game. We will cover:

Laws of the game relating to that position

Shot variety Scorecard completion Head Building etc

Etiquette/Duties of player expected in Team play

Associated purposeful practice

The dates for the 2026 Pollard Programme are:

LEADS - Thursday, 5/2 repeated on Saturday, 7/2

TWO’s - Thursday, 12/2 repeated on Saturday, 14/2

THREE’s Part 1 - Thursday, 26/2 repeated on Saturday, 28/2

THREE’s Part 2 (Measuring) - Thursday, 5/3 repeated on Saturday, 7/3

SKIPS - Thursday, 19/3 repeated on Saturday, 21/3

Remember, you only attend the session once - either the Thursday OR the Saturday and you DO NOT have to attend all parts of the Programme.

Please email coachinglcpibc@gmail.com

A NEW COACHING SESSION FOR 2026!
Thursday 15 January and Repeated Saturday 17 January
PLAYING AND MARKING A CLUB SINGLES COMPETITION
This will be a very practical session. Participants will rotate between playing and
marking a few ends of singles with the support and guidance of coaches. The
coaches will also set up scenarios which could occur to enable discussion and
practice and will include…
How do I book a rink? Where should the marker stand?
What and when can the players ask the marker?
Who declares the shots? Which player is ‘home’ on the scoreboard?
What happens when the jack leaves the side of the rink?
Factors for a player to consider when placing the mat/delivering the jack
Time limits? What is the 30 second rule?
What happens if the players cannot decide which bowl is shot?
What happens if a bowl is accidentally moved before being measured?
… AND MORE!
Numbers will be limited – to book a place, email
coachinglcpibc@gmail.com

‘Pollard Programme will be held in February…more information to follow’

Congratulations to Carol Sparkes,  who is  responsible for the coaches and coaching programme at the club. Carol recently received the County Certificate of Merit by Kent County Bowling Association for her outstanding service to her Outdoor Club, (New Beckenham),in particular for her services to Coaching, not only at NBBC but also for her long standing efforts as part of our coaching team, and previously at LIBC. Well done Carol.

COACHING

The club has 20 qualified coaches, so if you are either new to bowling or need a refresher, classes are available. Sessions are held on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. The club also runs the English Bowls Coaches Society Training Scheme, preparing applicants to gain their Level 1 and Level 2 Coaching Certificates for their prospective Outdoor Clubs , both of these initiatives have been particularly successful in the past.(A high percentage of people new to bowling who took up the offer of coaching, progressed well enough, they then took up membership of the club)