Short mat bowls is a relatively recent variant on the ancient sport of lawn bowls,
played indoors on a specially manufactured, pre-marked mat. The sport, which is played
socially and competitively in village halls and other community spaces, does not
require a permanent location as the portable mats are rolled up and stored when not
in use. The sport is played by all ages, sexes and abilities who can compete together.
HSMBA is the organising body for short mat bowls in Herefordshire. We are affiliated
to the ESMBA, the governing body in England, and we run leagues, county teams and
open competitions as well as generally promoting and developing the sport within
the county.
A good place to start for newcomers is our Introduction section where you can find
out more about the game, how to start playing or how to go about establishing a new
club. Enjoy looking around our website and please use the Contact page to provide
feedback or to find out more.
Latest News
Following the October AGM, the Committee Details, Constitution and League Rules and
Playing Conditions pages have been updated. We welcome Tim Rigden as our new Chairperson,
Sophie Heather-Warner as Safeguarding Officer and committee member Kate Williams.
Several committee positions remain unfilled and anyone interested in playing an active
role within the running of the association is encouraged to contact a committee
member to express their interest. We are particularly seeking to co-opt general committee
members to serve until the next AGM in May 2022 from clubs which do not currently
have members on the committee in order that the profile of membership representation
is improved.
It is with sadness that we inform members of Ian Park’s passing after a long illness.
Ian was, until deteriorating health forced him to step down, Chairperson and Competition
Secretary of the association and had previously served as A Team Captain. A member
at various times of Tarrington, Woolhope and Ross clubs, Ian was also a distinguished
player who, amongst his many county competition victories, won a record 4 county
singles titles. Ian regularly represented the county in the ICC and at the National
Championships.
There will be a 2 Mat Triples League run in the county between November and March.
Details have been issued to club secretaries
We regret to inform members of the passing of Norman Allen. Norman was a long standing
member of the Fownhope club, a recent President of the association and the founder
and sponsor of the Two Counties Team of Ten LEH Competition. Norman had been involved
with organised bowling in this area since its inception and served as the inaugural
treasurer of the original combined Herefordshire & Gloucestershire association in
the early 1990s.
Congratulations to Richard Bemand of the Gorsley Chapel club on his appointment to
the post of ESMBA National Umpires Director. We wish Richard all the best in his
new role Details
The ESMBA have issued a statement regarding play beyond the 19th July. Safe Bowls
Status is no longer a requirement for affiliated clubs although the ESMBA still recommend
it and will continue to issue certificates. For clubs restarting without Safe Bowls
Status there is a Covid Awareness Guidance Checklist to complete, primarily for internal
club use. The full statement can be found here ESMBA 19 July Statement and the Covid
Awareness Checklist can be found here Covid Awareness Guidance Checklist The HSMBA
committee will issue further guidance in due course as we consider a return to organised
bowling
The HSMBA committee have taken the decision not to enter the ICC competition for
the 21-22 season. A poll of county squad players indicated a range of positions regarding
players’ current attitude towards playing and, coupled with the low level of bowling
activity currently taking place in the county and continuing uncertainty regarding
the relaxation of restrictions, it was felt the risk of being unable to fulfil fixtures
was too high. The current focus will be on re-establishing bowling activity within
the county and rejoining the ICC competition for the 22-23 season
All of the updates from the ESMBA, together with all of the Back to Bowls and Safe
Bowls Status documentation can be found on our dedicated web page ESMBA Coronavirus
Information
