Fylde Bowling Academy

The Academy coaches have been out in force assisting with a new Introduction to Bowls course at Highfield Bowling Club, Blackpool.

Congratulations to Tracey Mitchell our secretary and one of our coaches who has attained a Crown Green Bowls Referees Grade 'A' level qualification.

The Academy has spent time this winter working with members of Highfield Bowling Club and Highfield Park in Blackpool. Two Clubs that are working together to expand bowling in the area. On Thursday 10 March Nigel Pollard, Tracey Mitchell, Mark Kelly and Adrian Allen from the Academy ran an Introduction to Bowls course at Highfield Park attended by 14 new bowlers.

Congratulations to Mark Kelly on attaining his Level One Coaching qualification.

During the winter we have not been quiet. We have been preparing for the new season. This year there will be a change to our previous format. We will not be able to provide social bowling on a Sunday or Tuesday morning.
This is a decision that the Academy has had to take. The main objective of the Academy is to introduce people to the game of bowls and encourage them to join local Clubs. Unfortunately the social bowling proved so popular it affected our ability to fulfil our objective.
This year we have tailored our courses, we will still offer the Introduction to Bowls Course but this will be five weeks long. After that we are offering to those who wish to stay with us an Advanced course which will prepare participants better for joining a club and prepare them for league matches. This course will include sessions on advanced techniques, scoring, measuring, the Laws, tactics and match play. We hope to arrange a number oof friendly fixtures against similar standard opposition.

The first course starting on the 14 April 2026 is fully booked but there is another course due to start on the 26 May 2026. this will be advertised shortly. Contact Nigel at [email protected] for further details.

As some of you will have heard the main green at Hope Street has been subjected to mindless criminal damage. On Saturday night someone thought it a good idea to churn up large areas of the main green with a motorbike or an electric bike. The matter is now in the hands of the police together with copies of the CCTV, whether anything comes of this time alone will tell. If you do have any information that can help catch these idiots please let the police know.

All this has made us think about the remainder of the season. I have been down there this morning and inspected the damage, the main green has been repaired with top soil and seed and they are hoping that it will been fit for the Air Ambulance Competition this weekend. The other green has not been cut and due to the severe weather we are experiencing will not be until Wednesday morning at the earliest - at present it is not fit to play on.

Due to the state of the greens, and to allow them to recover for future years,Tracey and I have decided that we will have to unfortunately curtail the Academy activities at Hope Street for the time being we will let you know if conditions improve to restart them. In the meantime will continue with the Sunday morning sessions at Ashton Gardens which have proved popular.

Outrage as Vandals Tear Up Bowling Green in Hope Street Park. Fury erupted last night after mindless vandals ripped up the beloved bowling green at Hope Street Park — leaving the once-pristine surface scarred and churned.On Saturday night (September 13th), it is believed a motorbike or electric bike was deliberately driven across the green, with riders spinning their tyres to gouge deep tracks into the grass. Locals have branded the act “disgraceful” and are demanding those responsible be brought to justice.The incident has been reported to police and, with CCTV cameras covering the area, there is hope the culprits will soon be identified.“This is wanton vandalism,” one angry resident told us. “The bowling green is for everyone to enjoy — not to be destroyed for someone’s kicks. Whoever did this must be held accountable.”Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 or share details locally so it can be logged and pursued.

Social bowling for members continues on a Tuesday morning at Hope Street, St Annes and at Ashton Gardens, St Annes on a Sunday morning. We are attracting large numbers so arrive by 9:45 to enable the Team to register you and arrange the draw. Thanks to Steve P. and Alan B. for organising everything and to the coaching team of Mark, Chris, June, Tracey and Adrian for helping.

We have now just completed our 4th Introduction to Bowls course for 2025. This year has been our most successful to date with over 69 registrants for the courses. Of these, 50 completed the course and were awarded completion certificates.

We know of some 23 of these have joined club's within the area to continue their development by social bowling in their respective Clubs'. Several players have already been recruited to play in league teams and are holding their own.

We are very proud of their success.

Great morning at Hope Street today 14 members participating in social bowling on one green with a further 17 new bowlers on the other green for the second week of their Introduction to Bowls course. Thanks to all concerned.