Short Mat Bowls : A Sport for Everyone
Join in with thousands of bowlers across EnglandShort Mat Bowling is an inclusive and rewarding sport enjoyed by thousands of people across England and around the world. The English Short Mat Bowling Association work hard to promote the sport and support bowlers to improve their game.
Bowls
Whether you’re new to Short Mat Bowls, or a seasoned player, we’re here to support you every step of the way in our engaging sport.
The English Short Mat Bowling Association
From Humble Beginnings to the National Governing Body
Rumours have it that the sport of Short Mat Bowls was first played in Wales by two South Africans who came to work in the area. They had played bowls outdoors in South Africa and, perhaps due to the poor climate and the long close season in this country, they began to play a simulation of the outdoor game on a strip of carpet in a church hall. Sometime later, they moved to Northern Ireland and took the new game with them. Rules and conditions of play were drawn up and the game soon became well established in the Province in village halls during the 1940’s as a way for outdoor bowlers to keep their “hand in” ready for the next season. The Irish Indoor Bowling Association was formed in 1961 and the English Association was formed a little later in 1984.
