The Somerset Bowls Association (SBA) was founded in 2009 upon the unification of the two historic single gender County Associations. The Somerset County Bowling Association (men) had been founded in 1914 whilst the Somerset Ladies County Bowling Association came into being in 1928. The ladies association was one of the first ladies county associations to be founded in England. The purpose of the SBA is to promote, foster and safeguard the Sport of Lawn Bowls in Somerset in every legitimate way in accordance with the Laws of the Sport laid down by our National Governing Body Bowls England to whom SBA is affiliated. SBA is an unincorporated, non-profit making organisation with all the proceeds and surpluses being used for purposes laid down in its Constitution. Our governing Executive Board currently consists 5 men and 5 ladies, not by design, but by people being nominated for, and elected to the various offices, by the Clubs affiliated to the SBA. The aim of the Board is not only to fulfil its obligations as regards running Competitions, Matches and a Mens County League but also to ensure support is given to our affiliated clubs in all aspects of green maintenance, administration (including Child Protection) and the game of bowls in general, for the benefit of both men and ladies. In 2014 to mark what would have been the Centenary of the former mens association we have decided to celebrate “100 years of County Bowls in Somerset”. The celebration will include special events and matches for both men and ladies. Among these the first ever County Match played by the men against Gloucestershire on 27 June 1914 at Victoria BC Weston-super-Mare is to be restaged on the same date and at the same venue. Let’s hope too that the result is as favourable as the 88-75 win in 1914!
