The government has confirmed that we'll move to Step 2 on Monday 12 April.
The major changes from this date for our clubs and members are highlighted below:
• Outdoor hospitality can open in accordance with the government guidance on hospitality settings
• Changing rooms can be opened, but participants should be encouraged to avoid or minimize
use where possible. Participants should socially distance themselves whilst in changing rooms. Subject to
available space, more than one household can use changing facilities at one time but they
must not mix and must adhere to capacity limits set by the club
• Travel should be minimized but can take place for the purpose of sport and physical activity.
Car sharing, however, isn't permitted
• Spectators are only allowed on public land, where they must adhere to a social gathering
limits either in groups of six or two households
• Further flexibility has been provided with regard to playing formats and arrangements
To provide additional support to enable affiliated clubs to open safely, we are working in
collaboration with the Bowls Development Alliance (BDA), Bowls England, and Disability Bowls
England to develop club resources under the banner ‘Back to Bowls’.
This will include:
• Exclusive access to club resources including signage, posters, and sanitization products
• Risk assessment template
• Exclusive access to club resources including signage, posters, and sanitization products
• Case studies for ‘covid-friendly’ sessions and formats
• Review of online booking systems
• Additional information for disabled participation is available.
If your club is not affiliated with BCGBA, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can take
you through the affiliation process, including connecting you with your County Association.
We recommend that all clubs consider this document together with the government guidance. All
items may be adapted as necessary to meet your club’s specific circumstances, so long as your
actions remain consistent with government advice and social distancing requirements. This guidance
is applicable from Monday 29th March and replaces all previous guidance that we have issued.
This guidance is applicable from Monday 12 April and replaces all previous guidance that we have issued.
Organized sport
For the sport of outdoor Crown Green bowls, any activity organized under the jurisdiction of BCGBA
by affiliated clubs, counties, and associate members in accordance with this guidance is recognized as
organized sport in accordance with DCMS guidance. This includes:
• National Competitions
• District and county competitions involving affiliated clubs only
• District and county leagues involving affiliated clubs only
• Fixtures between affiliated counties
• Club fixtures between affiliated clubs
• Internal club events or organized sessions for club members
• Coaching by a qualified coach (see the section on coaching for details)
• On green training provided by the Bowls Development Alliance
Any activity not listed above is not recognized by BCGBA as an organized sport and will need to follow
the guidance on outdoor legal gathering limits as this is considered to be informal or self-organized
sport. This includes any casual play (for example ‘roll-ups’) and any activity involving clubs, leagues
or associations not affiliated to Bowls England.
Whilst organized sport removes the restriction on legal gathering limits during participation, the
relevant organizing body (club, county, league, or Bowls England) must consider the risks and set out
ways to mitigate them so people can participate safely in accordance with this guidance. Informal or
self-organized sport is not covered by any exemptions.
