British Skittles Championship

Hi everyone

Some disappointing but probably not surprising news to report. Sadly, we will not be running the British Skittles Championships in Torquay next year.

When we were busily presenting the trophies at the last championships in 2019, we could never have foreseen the economic challenges that would lay ahead. Unlike some businesses and organisations that managed to stay open in some form or other during the various lockdowns, we couldn’t operate for two years. In addition, the Riviera Conference Centre in Torquay, where we have held the finals in recent years, has new owners who have made some operational and structural changes that would create some challenges for us. Meanwhile like just about every business in the UK, we have had to take a long hard look at our company and make some tough decisions.

We have always run the Championships as a separate arm of our business platform, on a not-for-profit basis, to promote our core business which is our skittles and party weekends. But we always felt that it was worth it for the fun, unique atmosphere, and the sense of occasion. And of course, many of you have since discovered the fun we have on our skittles weekends away. Rest assured; they continue apace with a surge of post lock-down interest and bookings.

The Championships also relied heavily on sponsorship to cover prize money and all ancillary staffing costs. Over the past few years, Serious About Events have sponsored the Championships to keep them going. But with all the changes and challenges we have all faced, we no longer have a budget for sponsorship, nor the manpower to staff it. We constantly reach out to appropriate businesses about sponsorship but sadly everyone faces the challenge of the current energy crisis as well as recovery post pandemic.

We have spent time doing our sums and working hard to ensure we can move forward with our weekend events. We’ve overhauled our website, learnt new ways to do our marketing and worked our socks off to make sure our first season of skittles weekends post Covid was a success. We’ve been welcoming first time teams from all over the UK and with plenty of new inquiries coming in for the coming season and beyond, so we can look forward to our 2023 programme with renewed confidence. Skittles is the wonderful sport that unites us all and long may that continue.

Best wishes
Rachel & Karen

Can’t wait to see all our amazing teams celebrating, drinking, skittling and singing again soon... a fabulous weekend of skittles and we are missing you all. ❤️

So here we have it...the closest we're going to get to the Championships this year! Our winning teams from 2019!
Can't wait to see who comes out on top next year? We look forward to seeing you all there and reckon the competition will be on like never before! 😜

First team to enjoy a drink at the bar at the 2014 championships. I think it was about 8.00am! Well done the Fackarwee Tribe! What was the time of your first drink on the British Skittles Championships?

The live draw .... how exciting to eventually find out who you will be playing in the finals group round... throwback from the 2019 champs... How did you do in your groups? Was is crash n burn or wins all the way?

Well done to our Reigning Serious About Events Singles and Pairs Champions. You hold the title now for two years, who will be aiming to take their crowns in 2021?

We all know that every team member is indispensable but as the 2020 Championship weekend approaches, let's hear from you which player you simply could not do without. Is it your 'surefire 9 pin striker' who always brings you out on top...could be your 'get them all in liner' who makes sure you're all where you need to be...or could simply be the one who gets the most rounds in! 😃🍻 Tag the members your team would be lost without and tell us why you simply could not do without them!

Friday throwback skittling photos.... were you there at the British Skittles Championship 2016! Who can't wait to be handling their balls again, skittles ones obviously! 🤣

some action shots of the Grand Fianls

Dear skittlers,

I don’t think this news will come as a surprise to you but it’s still very disappointing to have to inform you that the 2020 British Skittles Championships have been cancelled.

This is usually the time of year when we would be chivvying up last minute entries, and preparing for the excitement of the draw, with teams waiting anxiously to learn whom they will be facing in the group rounds, the alleys they will be visiting this year. Plus of course looking ahead to our preparations for the Grand Finals in September.

Sadly 2020 is already writing its own history with the global COVID 19 pandemic, the UK on lockdown and no date yet for when pubs, clubs and skittle alleys will re-open.

We have spent much time over the past weeks deliberating many different options but what we probably need most is a crystal ball. Because of all the uncertainties, it is with great sadness that we are cancelling this year’s event. But we will be bouncing back in 2021 with the Championships and can confirm that the Grand Finals weekend will be Saturday 18th September 2021.

For those teams who had already sent their entry, we will destroy all cheques received and be in contact with any teams who had made a BACS or card payments to arrange a full refund.

We understand many of you will be disappointed to miss all the skittles, fun and excitement of the event and the unique atmosphere of the Grand Finals. So whilst we know it’s not exactly the same, why not think about having a team training weekend away, as a warm up to the 2021 championships and join us on a 2021 Serious About Events weekend? You’ll find full details in our brochure on our website.

Once again, we thank you for all your wonderful messages of support. It has been so heart-warming to see the passion and love for the British Championships and we can’t wait to be back next year, ready to crown our British Skittles Champions 2021.

Stay safe everyone and best wishes from all the team.