The All-in-One Bowls Club Management System
The game of bowls has never stayed stagnant. From its ancient roots, to the game we know and love today, it's gone through countless changes and developments, and will continue to do so far into the future.
For many clubs, though, that future is far from guaranteed. Ageing memberships and quietly declining numbers are a real concern up and down the country, and the clubs still thriving in ten years' time will be the ones taking action now rather than waiting to see what happens.
As of the 2020s, bowls clubs around the globe are still finding innovative new ways to draw in crowds and create an even better experience for their members. The starting point for many of them is understanding exactly who isn't in the room yet, and why. Here are some popular trends that you should consider implementing at your own club, beginning with the challenge shaping everything else on this list.
If you asked most club secretaries about the age profile of their membership, the answer would likely be well over retirement age, and there's nothing inherently wrong with that. Bowls is a genuinely excellent pastime for retired people. It offers physical activity, social contact, and a reason to get out of the house several times a week.
The real problem isn't that players are enjoying long, active retirements. It's that the sport isn't always keeping pace alongside them. Clubs that talk regularly with others in their area often notice the same pattern: matches quietly cancelled, teams gradually lost, and numbers slipping without much coordinated response at club or county level to address it.
This decline rarely announces itself all at once. It shows up first as a fixture here or there that can't be fulfilled, then as a team that folds the following season. By the time it's obvious, the options for turning things around have narrowed considerably. Clubs that recognise the pattern early, and treat it as a shared problem rather than an inevitability, are the ones best placed to do something about it.
Tackling an ageing membership starts with bringing younger players into the sport, and that means looking beyond the traditional routes clubs have relied on for decades. Building contact with local schools and youth organisations is a practical starting point, giving clubs a way to introduce bowls to people who might never otherwise have considered it.
Part of the challenge is image. Bowls is still widely seen as a gentle, unhurried activity suited to people with plenty of free time, and that perception won't shift on its own. It changes when clubs actively demonstrate what regular players already know: that bowls doesn't discriminate on age, gender, or ability, and that it offers genuine competition alongside social contact and time spent with family and friends.
None of this needs to happen alone. Junior recruitment works best as a coordinated effort, with individual clubs, county associations, and the wider bowls community all pulling in the same direction. A club that recognises the urgency and starts building those relationships now gives itself a far stronger foundation for the years ahead.
Alongside that longer-term work, there's plenty clubs can do right now to change how bowls is perceived, starting with the kind of event that gets people through the door in the first place.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest challenges bowls clubs face when it comes to attracting new members is the reputation of bowls itself. It's often seen as a slow and old-fashioned game, lacking the excitement of sports like golf, tennis, and football. Of course, we all know that couldn't be further from the truth.
So, how do you change people's minds and show them just how fun bowls can be? Simple: throw a social event that not only celebrates bowls but also offers a wide range of entertainment options for everyone to enjoy.
As an example, take The Bowls Club LND. They've successfully given bowls a modern twist by combining it with live music, street food, cocktails, and a thrilling 'sudden death' finale. Their events attract a wide variety of people, including friends, families, and even corporate outings, the events appeal not only to seasoned bowls fans, but also to people from all walks of life.
By creating an event that caters to everyone's interests, you can draw in a much larger and more diverse crowd. People who may have hesitated to try bowls due to its reputation can now experience it in a fun, relaxed, and low-pressure environment, while having the opportunity to enjoy all the other exciting amenities you have to offer. This makes them a lot more likely to sign up for your club, and to get their friends to sign up, too.
In 2026, around 60% of Britons support the UK’s net zero by 2050 target, and about half rate it as important, even though most remain concerned about climate change [1]. More and more people are looking at the eco impact of their actions, including the sustainability of the clubs and groups they belong to.
By adopting sustainable practices, you can reduce your club's carbon footprint and play your part towards a greener future for all. It's also a great way to convince more environmentally conscious members to join up.
Some of the many features you can implement include:
Technology has revolutionised the way we live our lives, shaping everything from our entertainment to our work to even the most mundane tasks. So, why should your bowls club be left behind?
By incorporating digital features throughout your club, such as automated scoring systems, electronic scoreboards, video replay technology, and news and advertising screens, you can enhance the overall experience for both players and spectators. Players will be able to access real-time data and hone their skills like never before, while spectators get a better idea of what's happening in each match.
However, it's not just about the physical tech, having a strong online presence is equally important in running a successful bowls club. With a user-friendly website, active social media channels, and convenient online booking systems, you can effectively communicate with your members, promote events, and attract new players to join in the fun.
Are you an owner looking to bring your club's operations into the modern age? You've come to the right place.
As you can see above, there are loads of ways to keep the game of bowls relevant and attracting new members, including keeping up with technology.
Bowlr is the only membership and league management software designed exclusively for bowls clubs. It streamlines the entire process of running your indoor or outdoor club, allowing you to handle membership data, organise leagues, make bookings, and so much more.
By making everything easier to manage online, Bowlr helps make your club easier to access and more attractive to both new and existing members alike.
Let's have a chat and explore how our systems can transform your club for the better, just as we've already done for over 250 clubs across the UK.
Get in touch online or call us on 01202 684400 today.
[1] YouGov, ‘How Far Does the Public Support Net Zero?’, https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/53366-how-far-does-the-public-support-net-zero