Dear Secretary,
Bowls England /Bowls Durham Affiliation and County Competition Fees 2026
As you are aware at the end of July/early August each year I issue a general circular to all clubs regarding membership returns/club subscriptions and the county championship entries for the forthcoming playing season on the premise that most of our outdoor clubs close around mid-September before the closing date for such returns are required to be sent to Bowls England.
This will give club secretaries just that little bit more time to contact their membership and ascertain members future intentions regarding playing the sport from 2026 onwards and their entries for the 2026 championships.
It is important to note that the affiliation date is 1st May annually, and the County will be working to that date. The attached paperwork reflects this change.
So far as the Bowls England Competitions for 2026 are concerned you will be aware that these entries are now submitted online to Bowls England direct, and we are not involved in the process.
In implementing the proposal, I am sure that the question of what clubs do if they are unable to contact their members. and determine their affiliation numbers before the closing date etc. The revised date should give ample time to do so. In addition, Appendix A to the Bowls England Regulations on affiliation fees provides (inter alia) that if during the closed season a member(s) leaves the club then the name is deleted and substituted by the name(s) of any new member(s) for whom an affiliation fees has been previously paid.
(A) Membership Returns
You will recall that in accordance with the Rules of Bowls England and that of the Association it is a requirement for all Club Secretaries to forward to their County Secretary, a list of the names of all affiliated members. The date for returns is now 1st May as outlined in the statement.
Considering the previous information and because of the above the Executive Committee of the County requests that all clubs be asked to provide the Association with a list of affiliated members as of 30th April 2026.
This should be sent along with your affiliation and championship entries to the Assistant County Secretary/Competitions Secretary whose details are shown in paragraph (C) below.
Please note that we do not require addresses as the list will be used for no other purposes than to record membership numbers and compare it with the list of entries into County Championships each year, and nominations for the County Teams.
Further, to conform with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations which became enforceable on 25 May 2018 by providing this information you are consenting to the use of the personal data to enable Bowls Durham to administer the County in accordance with their Rules and Regulations. This information will be held by the County Secretary and County Assistant Secretary only.
In this connection I also draw your attention to the Paragraph (C) below regarding the County Championships for 2026 and the Rules and Regulations governing the submission of entries and management of the Competitions.
(B) Club Subscriptions
The Bowls England and Bowls Durham Membership Fees for 2025 were set at £7.10 and £4.00 per affiliated member, respectively.
In accordance with the decision of the Bowls England Annual General Meeting in 2024 to increase annually affiliation fees by the rate of inflation/CPI the fees for 2026 will increase accordingly. The details are shown in the attached affiliation forms.
Bowls Durham has also undertaken a review of the proposed financial structure for both men and women of Bowls Durham for 2025/26. Despite running at a basic level this year, whereby expenditure has been kept to a minimum and the increasing costs of running the Association and all its operational matters and competitions etc this year have been carefully monitored, it is obvious that even with this approach and with the volunteers, families and players giving of their time, it has been decided that the subscription levels will also need to increase from the current £4 per head to £5 per head.
There will however be one change to affiliation fees in the County. As you will have probably noted from events this year, we have established a youth academy to build upon and nourish the great work being undertaken by clubs in the county. To this end and in line with Bowls England’s move to allow free entry into the U25 Pairs and Singles Competitions in 2026,and the U17 competition the County Executive have agreed to waive the payment of an affiliation fee to the County for all 16 and under affiliated members with a qualify date as of 1st April each year. However, the Bowls England affiliation fee is still applicable.
Membership Fee for Bowls England – £7.20 per member
County Membership Fee – £5.00 per member.
(C) County Championships 2026
So far as the County Championships are concerned, we will be working to the deadline of 1st February, and in respect of the Women’s County Championships the Women’s County Secretary will be contacting clubs regarding next year’s competitions. In future these competition entries will be drawn into the main county process under the direction of the County Competitions Secretary and entry forms and fees should be returned to him.
Regarding the Championships programmes and level of entry fees payable in 2026 Clubs should be aware of a number of changes that have been made to them as approved by the Executive Committee.
Regarding the Men’s Competitions enclosed for your use is a copy of the entry form and contact sheet for next year’s County Championships. One copy of the form, bearing the entrants signature and a copy of the contact sheet should be kept by the Club Secretary for record purposes. The second copy, together with a completed contact sheet, printed in BLOCK capitals and including post codes should be sent with the entry fees to reach the County Competitions Secretary, Mr P.Coulson 9,Oak Terrace,Leadgate, Consett, Co. Durham
to reach him not later than 1st February 2026.
So far as the operation of the First Stage of the Men’s County Championships are concerned you will recall that the Management Committee undertook a review of the current areas in operation. It has been concluded that for 2026 there should be a county wide open draw which we believe makes it more equitable to all entrants in the competitions rather than the present system which may favour those districts with smaller entry numbers.
The second stage will see the last eight ties played on a neutral green. The Semi-finals will played to the usual format.
To assist entrants in the County Championships a Calendar and Fixed Dates Schedule will be issued which details all the information competitors need on where and when the Second Stage of the County Championships will be held. and also the dates of the various National Championship Competitions at Leamington.
Can you also note that entries received after the closing date may not be valid. An entry which does not comply will be returned to the Club(s) for alteration and resubmission. However in view of the circumstances some slippage may be allowed
Players should be reminded that they should not let their names be submitted for more than one club in any one year and ensure that they meet the qualifying date for entrance into the Championships is still that they are members of an entrant club as prescribed.
The main changes to note are that the level of fees for National Championship have changed. As approved by Bowls England the entry fee for 2026 will be £4.05 per player. However, in view of the costs across the board for the County to administer the programme we have kept the County proportion to a minimum of £.45 This makes all National Entry fees £5.50s.
It should be noted that the County’s element is not used for the general running of the County Association but the Championships themselves considering the lack of grant from Bowls England.
You may also be aware that with effect from 2026 Bowls England have agreed to make several changes to championship and competition fees. This has resulted in the decision to change the U24 championships to U25 with the same age qualification date and make it free at point of entry for the both the men’s and women’s pairs and singles events. This is shown in our paperwork. However, in view of the county’s administrative burden in running the programme we have added a token entry fee of £3.
(D) Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of Bowls Durham will be held at Houghton Dairy Lane Club on Tuesday 11th November 2025 at 7.00 p.m.
Notices of Motion for consideration by the Meeting should be received by me not later than10th October 2025.
(F) Change of Club Secretaries
Where appropriate, outgoing and/or incoming club Secretaries, are reminded of the need to inform me of the change, in order that communications are addressed to the proper person. Addresses should include post codes and telephone numbers.
Can you also please note that to conform with the requirements of GDPR outlined above, by providing this information you are consenting to the use of the personal data to enable Bowls Durham to administer the County in accordance with their Rules and Regulations.
(G) Nominations for County Teams- Male and Female
Can I remind clubs that in accordance with my recent communication and as shown on the County website the nomination process for County Teams has been changed to provide that individual, rather than clubs, may nominate to be considered for county teams. This has been done as there were several players this year who wished to be considered for the teams but were not put forward by their clubs. The nomination form is on the County website, and we can provide assistance on the process.
(H) General Matters
As you are aware I have written to clubs on several occasions about the need to appoint a Safeguarding Officer and to also ensure that within your Constitution there is a requirement and understanding that you will follow and implement the provisions of Bowls England Regulation No.9 regarding disciplinary matters.
I am pleased to say that all clubs have an appointed safeguarding officer. Can I ask you to be vigilant regarding safeguarding and disciplinary matters within your club. You can always contact me for advice at an early stage. Do not wait until things are out of hand as it is easier to mitigate issues at an early date rather than get into the realms of disciplinary procedures.
Can you please ensure that is the case.
Yours Sincerely
F.Johnson
County Administrator