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KENT COUNTY BOWLING ASSOCIATION

(LADIES SECTION)

Founded November 1931 – Affiliated to Bowls England

 

 

 
 
 
 


REGULATIONS 2025

(Women’s Section)


1. ADMINISTRATION

a) The Hon. Secretary shall keep a record of all business transacted at Council and Committee

Meetings and at each Annual General Meeting the Hon. Secretary shall submit a report of

proceedings since the last Annual General Meeting and the Hon. Treasurer shall render to the

Hon. Financial Officer a precise account of Receipts and Expenditure for the past year.

b) Nominations for Vice President must be proposed by her own club, Nominations for all

other Officers of the County may be proposed by any club. All nominations must be

submitted to the Hon. Secretary by 1st September.

c) The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy in their numbers which may

occur during the year, due regard being paid to the division represented by the previous member.

d) Any member of the Executive or Selection Committee who breaks the code of

confidentiality shall be asked to resign from the said Committee.

e) A member of the Executive Committee wishing to hold Executive office in the Association, i.e.

President, Vice President, Secretary, Match & Fixture Secretary, Treasurer, Divisional

Secretaries, Year Book Secretary, must have the approval of this Association if she wishes to

hold concurrently an office of similar standing in the EIBA.

f) For the purposes of competition Administration, the County will be divided geographically into

four divisions.

2. COUNTY MATCHES

a) All existing Badged Players and Past Presidents will be considered for county matches, they will

be notified if they are selected to take part in matches.

b) In the event of a County Match being rained off at least five ends must be played for

qualification towards a County Badge. Any competitor who has qualified for her badge but

becomes “terminally ill” and therefore unable to play the five ends required may be awarded her

badge upon production of Medical Evidence at the discretion of the Executive.

c) The County President and Vice President will be awarded their County Badge on Election to this office

(if they do not complete their term in office the badge will be returned).

d) Players travelling by car in an Inter-County Match, Executive/Representative game

whether home or away, shall be deemed to have accepted the risk of injury through accident

arising therefrom and shall have no recourse to compensation from the KCBA. As well as the

flat rate game fee that will be determined by the Executive, players must also bear their own

expenses to the home green or to a designated place of pick-up for any away match.

e) Dress Code for travelling to County Matches, (Optional). Dress when participating in County

Match: Navy with County Shirt.

3. DRESS (Please refer to specific competition for appropriate dress code)

a) Players attending all County Representative matches and County Competition matches (from

Divisional Finals onwards) are required to arrive and report to the match Official as indicated in

3.1

b) For rounds of County competitions up to Divisional Final stage, players have the option of

arriving in civilian dress; play for these rounds of competitions will be Registered Club Uniform

3.1 County Uniform

Blazers Optional - Navy Blue Blazer (County or Outdoor Club Badge on top pocket)

County Shirt as registered with Bowls England (for National Finals and County Matches)

All shirts must have sleeves and collars.

Navy Skirts/Skorts regulation skirt (style is two inverted pleats at the back and two inverted

pleats at the front no other pleats).

Navy Trousers tailored full length trousers (excluding tracksuits, shell suits and jeans) or

tailored cropped trousers falling midway between the knee and ankle (not Lycra type) may be

worn as may culottes of the approved style and length. Shorts may also be worn.

Bowling Shoes:- Must be adhere to Bowls England Regulations

BOWLING SANDALS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

3.2 During play on the green, the following dress code will apply:-

3.2.1) All County Competitions up to Divisional Finals & Mollie Cleggett (total civilian

dress on arrival is an option) Registered Club Uniform must be worn by all team members.

3.2.2) Divisional Finals , Semi Finals and One Day Events - When reporting to ‘official on duty. Registered

Club Uniform must be worn

3.2.3) Benevolent Triples -Dress Code: Registered Club Uniform

Mollie Cleggett Semi-Finals and Final-Dress code; Registered Club Uniform.

3.2.4) COUNTY FINALS DAY - Dress Code, Registered Club Uniform

3.2.5) County Friendly Matches

Dress Code for Travel optional. Dress for play County Shirt with Navy below the waist.

Executive Matches: - All current County Officers, Past Presidents and Badged Players

must wear the Kent shirts old or new. Any invited unbadged club officer will wear

registered Club Uniform.

3.2.6) The President, and Vice President whether playing or on duty watching,

will be in uniform at the National Championships whilst Kent players are participating.

4. SELECTION COMMITTEE

COMPOSITION:

The President, The Executive Committee and the team Manager select the Players to be

asked to attend trials for Johns and Walker. Hon. Secretary will produce all paperwork and send

out the invitations, ensuring that all Selectors and Team Manager are kept informed. Any person

wishing to be considered for John’s or Walker remove themselves from the selection committee, whilst their position is being discussed

TERMS OF REFERENCE

i) After initial John’s trial, consult with Hon Secretary, Team Manage and with another member of the executive

committee name John's squad Hon Secretary will publish the squad  After initial selection of team, any changes

will be at the discretion of the Hon Team Manager.

ii) Team Manager along with Hon Secretary will ensure all players have transport, the Hon.

Secretary will liaise with venues regarding requirements, will publish teams and notify KCBA

Ladies Webmaster.

iii) Hon Secretary will be the contact for all players, notifying the Team Manager of any

problems, issue the letters to all players selected for each round of the competition.

iv) Hon Secretary will report results to BE in the Electronic Form required.

v) Team Manager after consultation with Hon. Treasurer as to cost arrange accommodation and

accompany the players should they be successful to Regional Finals and the National Championships at

Leamington.

vi) The Walker Cup Teams will be selected from Terms of Reference Players from the John’s

Squad.

vii) The John’s and Walker Cup Teams will be selected from those available for trials with the

exception of those on International duty.

viii) Any Players wising to be considered for John's, Walker and Amy Rose trials, should contact their

relevant Divisional Secretary by 1st January 

The Selectors may take appropriate action in the case of failure to honour selection commitments

without reasonable explanation. Such players will not be allowed to participate in any County

Representative games the following season. Valid reasons remain as detailed in Competition Bye

Law 12.

Each member of this Committee is required to attend Trials, John's ,Walker , Amy Rose 

Semi-Finals,  Finals, days to familiarise herself with players from all divisions as to potential

for future selection. 

SELECTION COMMITTEE - AMY ROSE (Under 24's)

COMPOSITION

Selection for the Amy Rose will Consist of Team Manager, Hon Secretary and one other from the executive committee.

Clubs submit to the Divisional Secretary nominations for players wishing to take part in the trials no

later than 1st January in any year.

i) Hon Secretary to present listing of potential players to Amy Rose Team Manager for

consideration.

ii) Team Manager will keep details of all U24 Squad, including parents’ details for under 18

players. All details to include: Name, Addresses, date of birth, Telephone Numbers and Email address.

iii) Team Manager and Selection Committee to select teams after coaching ready for the Hon.

Secretary to send to Bowls England.

iv) Book accommodation at Leamington for Amy Rose, liaise with Hon. Treasurer as to the cost

before making firm booking.

v) Team Manager for Amy Rose squad to accompany team to Regional Finals and Leamington for Championships.

5. AWARD OF A COUNTY BADGE

County Badges will be awarded as follows:

a) An unbadged player who plays, in a County Competition and wins the Divisional Final. An unbadged

player coming in as a substitute at Divisional Final level or later shall not qualify for her badge.

b) County Winner of Maude Woods (Unbadged Singles)

c) County Winners of Senior Fours if not badged provided they have won their Division.

d) A Kent un-badged player who has been selected and played for the England Senior

International Team.

6. MERIT CERTIFICATES

The Merit Certificates  will be awarded to  members of a club who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and

service above and beyond what is normally expected for a period of at least 15 years. This may include but is not limited to,

consistent active involvement in club activities, holding various leadership positions within the club, volunteering time and

effort in organizing events and initiatives , contributing to the growth and success of the club through innovative ideas and

hard work, and generally embodying the values and mission of the club, and our sport. The Merit Certificate programme 

is designed to recognise and reward those who have made significant contributions to the club and its members, and to inspire 

others to follow in their footsteps  

Applications containing a brief but concise citation and signed by two club officers, must be submitted to the appropriate Section Honorary Secretary by

1st July. (e.g. Men nominees to Men's secretary and Ladies to Ladies Secretary)

No more than TWO submissions per club per year will be permitted.

A maximum of 30 certificates will be awarded annually. Each Section will scrutinise their

applications and submit an agreed list of recipients to the Management Committee for ratification.

Presentations will be made at the Annual General Meeting of the Association and the name of

each recipient will appear in the Roll of Honour listed in the Yearbook and on the website, the following year.

7. PROPOSITIONS

All propositions, amendments to Ladies Regulations must be submitted to Honorary Secretary in

writing by 1st July for consideration by the Executive Committee and at the AGM for voting.

8. Any member of the Executive Committee who has completed 10 years service before retiring will

be entitled to receive invitations to President’s Days and Executive Days and Life Membership.

Trans and Gender Diverse Policy
Bowls is an inclusive sport, open to all who wish to be involved in any capacity and we
encourage all trans and non-binary participants to take part.
Whilst the physical demands of bowls are more modest than most sports, bowls is a
gender-affected sport. As such, it is the responsibility of Bowls England to ensure that it
provides a framework for fair competition and has due regard for the safety of all
competitors, whilst also ensuring there is an opportunity for everyone to take part.
Legal framework
The policy outlined in this document ensure the following UK legislation is considered:
• Data Protection Act 2018
• Equality Act 2010
• Gender Recognition Act 2004
Definitions (Find more information, including a glossary of terms here.)
• Non-binary: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not sit
comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’.
• Trans: An umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or
does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth.

We commit to creating a safe and welcoming space for all players. We will ensure that all
individuals will be able to take part in bowls without fear or harassment and that all club
members and visitors will be able to enjoy our sport and feel comfortable in the
environment it provides.
All members of Bowls England affiliated clubs must:
• Treat all trans and non-binary members with respect.
• Welcome all trans and non-binary member as you would any other member.
• Accept all members in the gender they present. If you require verification of
identity it should be the same for all members.
• Respect the privacy of all members’ information, including their gender identity.
This is protected in law.
• Take the lead from the member. Ask their name and if presented with a
pronoun use them.
• Not make assumptions about any member’s gender identity or related
characteristics or stereotypes attached to that gender.
• In line with the Government Equalities Office document ‘Providing services for
transgender customers’ 2015, allow a trans person to select the facilities
appropriate to the gender in which they present.
• Report any incidence of a breach of this policy to Bowls England.
Club membership and non-competitive activity
If an existing club member needs to change the gender already listed on the membership
record they will be required to notify us of a change of gender identity in line with the
specified process, which will be recorded by Bowls England.
A member’s gender identity cannot be changed mid-season, but we encourage members to
socially transition and remain competing in the category they began the season competing
in.

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Members can take part in any Bowls England sanctioned non-competitive activity in their
self-identified gender. All members should be treated with respect at all times and if
concerns are reported relating to the acceptance of trans and/or non-binary members in
any activity, the matter should be referred to us in line with our Disciplinary Regulations.
Competitive activity
The Gender Recognition Act 2004 makes specific provision for sporting organisations to
potentially prohibit or restrict a person with an acquired gender from competing in an event
or events involving a gender-affected sport. A sport is a gender-affected sport if the
physical strength, stamina or physique of average persons of one gender would put them at
a disadvantage to average persons of the other gender as competitors in events involving
the sport. The sport of bowls is a gender-affected sport.
Applications to compete in the women’s category:
Applications from any trans or non-binary member who seeks to compete in the women’s
category shall be required to comply with the stipulations outlined below.
International competition (defined as any event where Bowls England is represented at
international level including but not limited to Test Matches, British Isles, World Bowls and
Commonwealth Games):
• Notify Bowls England of a change of gender identity in line with the specified
process. The information will be recorded by Bowls England.
• This gender identity cannot be changed for a minimum of 4 years.
• Submit an attestation from a medical professional that the member’s total
testosterone level in serum has been below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months prior
to the member’s first competition and must remain below 10 nmol/L whilst
competing in the women’s category.
National competition and local competition (defined as any event that leads to world
and/or British Isles and/or national and/or county and/or district and/or club finals; and
any national, county and district leagues):
• Notify Bowls England of a change of gender identity in line with the specified
process. The information will be recorded by Bowls England. The confirmation of
change on gender identify will be shared with the County Association that the
participants club is affiliated to.
• A member’s gender identity cannot be changed mid-season, but we encourage
members to socially transition and remain competing in the category they began the
season competing in.
• Submit an attestation from a medical professional that the member’s total
testosterone level in serum has been below 10 nmol/L prior to the member’s first
competition and must remain below 10 nmol/L whilst competing in the women’s
category.
Other local, intra-club and friendly competition (defined as any event any other
activity other than that described in ‘International Competition’ and ‘National Competition
and local competition’):
• Notify Bowls England of a change of gender identity in line with the specified
process. The information will be recorded by Bowls England.
• A member’s gender identity cannot be changed mid-season, but we encourage
members to socially transition and remain competing in the category they began the
season competing in.
Applications to compete in the men’s category:

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Applications from any trans or non-binary member who seeks to compete in the men’s
category shall be asked to comply with stipulations outlined below.
All competition:
• Notify Bowls England of a change of gender identity in line with the specified
process. The information will be recorded by Bowls England.
• A member’s gender identity cannot be changed mid-season, but we encourage
members to socially transition and remain competing in the category they began the
season competing in.
Members under 18 years:
All under 18-year-old members for whom this policy is relevant may compete in a girls’,
boys’, or mixed team, regardless of their sex assigned at birth. This includes any under 18
competing in over 18 competition. The member’s gender identity must not be changed
mid-season and a member is only permitted to enter competitions related to one gender.
Compliance
We will take appropriate measures for any breach of this policy in line with Bowls England
disciplinary policies, procedures, and processes. All information will be collected and stored
in accordance with GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
Bowls England will monitor and regulate the sport to ensure:
• Fairness and integrity of competitions.
• Members compete in the category of competition for which they have satisfied the
eligibility criteria set out in this policy.
• All members are compliant with this policy.
• No direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation is taken
against a member on the grounds of their gender identity.
• Any other breach or non-compliance with this policy.
Process for notification

Notifications are to be made in writing to Bowls England. Please contact Juliette Maggs-
Bowen on 01926 334 609.

Education and FAQs
We understand the importance of education as part of understanding and implementing this
policy. Resources are available to support clubs, and both Bowls England and the Bowls
Development Alliance can provide practical guidance and advice.
Endorsement and Review
This document is the approved Trans and Gender Diverse Policy. It will be reviewed taking
on board any future research findings or changes in guidance from the Sports Council
Equality Group.