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Welcome to The Burlington Lawn Bowling Club!
The Burlington Lawn Bowling Club (BLBC) is a not for profit sports club located in the heart of Burlington, Ontario. The club is a member of District 5 of the Ontario Lawn Bowling Association (OLBA). The facilities are accessible to all members of society that wish to participate in both fun or competitive venues. For those looking for more of a social option, you can join in on many of the non bowling activities.
The club invites you to join us for lively social interaction and mild exercise on the "GREEN" and we invite and encourage non-members to play as our guests. Free lessons and loaner equipment are available Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm for all who are interested in learning this sport - Please wear flat soled shoes, eg. Running shoes. Guests may also use club bowls for a small fee. The club policies are subject to change and may be impacted by local and provincial health requirements. You are directed to contact the drawmaster on site in order to obtain the latest information.
The Junior programme includes instruction every Monday night, rain or shine, 6-8pm, July and August. Membership for those 8-18 years of age is $35.00 or free if linked to an adult membership. We provide all the equipment-pleas wear flat soled shoes. Questions - Mary 905-315-7837
BLBC has two regulation-size greens of 8 rinks each. Bowling occurs virtually every day of the week during our operating season, usually in the afternoons and evenings. In addition, for the competitive bowler, the club also hosts numerous "Open Tournaments" and District & Provincial Championships throughout the year. For your enjoyment, the club is licensed for beer and wine service.
Latest Updates
Indoor Short Mat Open House - Monday , October 16th - Saturday October 21st, 1:30pm - 3:30 pm, Monday October 16th and Friday October 20th 7:00pm - 8:00pm. Please bring flat indoor foot-ware, slippers are okay.
Club Policies
andVisitors & Practice:
Potential new members who have never bowled before are encouraged to participate, together with a reasonable number of coaching sessions for free, before making a membership decision. Visiting lawn bowlers may play occasionally for a fee (as defined annually by the club) and must make arrangements with the Drawmaster in advance of any practice or game. The decision of the Drawmaster will be final in all cases. No visitor, unless they become full members of the club, shall acquire any benefits of membership, nor be eligible to compete in club championships or league play. Players from other clubs in the district may practice for district playdowns being held at the club but must arrange for practice times in advance.
Dress Code:
- Flat soled shoes (indentations no deeper than 1/4 inch (1 cm) are mandatory).
- Shirts must have collars and/or sleeves.
- No restrictions for teams to wear same colour shirts for club championships.
- For Open Tournaments and District Playdowns, the OLBA Dress Code (General Rule 6.b.) shall apply (namely players on a team must all wear the same team colours or the default white tops and bottoms).
The Burlington Lawn Bowling Club is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities. BLBC does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, political orientation, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, marital status, veteran status of mental or physical disability or any other status prohibited by applicable law.
Land Acknowledgement
Let us acknowledge together that Halton Region stands on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and the Huron- Wendat; now home to many First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples. We acknowledge the current treaty holders the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. As settlers, we are grateful for the opportunity to meet here and we thank all the generations of people who have taken care of the land and for those who continue today.
Smoking:
The City of Burlington has a new "No Smoking" by-law on city property, including parks and parking lots. We have new signs on our fence advising the same. Smokers will move to the street curb.
Dogs:
The Club has decided that only Service Dogs will be permitted inside the fence of the club.
For full club policies and detailed information, please download a copy of our Club Handbook below.
About the Game
Positions & Play
(In this example, the positions are for a TRIPLES game. Simply omit the Vice position for Pairs and add a Second for a Fours game).
LEAD:
The lead of the team that is taking the mat (playing the first bowls) is responsible for:
- Placing the mat where his/her Skip wants it.
- Rolling the jack toward where his/her Skip is standing.
- Delivering the first bowl to start the end.
- Developing the head using the same hand for delivery unless changed by his/her Skip
Both Leads are also responsible for:
- Helping round up the bowls for the raker at the end of an end.
- Being involved in the game at the "head end" and standing behind or next to your Vice-Skip
VICE-SKIP:
- The Vice-Skip always plays second and continues to develop the head at the Skip's direction.
- The Vice-Skip is the one who measures when necessary.
- The losing Vice-Skip is responsible for posting the score of the completed end.
- The Vice-Skip should stand approximately six feet (two metres) behind the jack when the opponent has the mat.
- When the Vice-Skip's team has possession of the mat, he/she can stand anywhere to direct the Skip (if the Skip asks for the direction). However, once your Skip has released the bowl, the Vice-Skip must return to approximately 6 ft. (2m) behind the jack.
SKIP:
- The Skip is the captain of the team.
- The Skip is responsible for directing his/her teammates in the development of the head, by showing them where the bowl is to stop, then return to approximately six feet (two metres) feet behind the jack when the bowl is released.
- The Skip can ask his/her Vice-Skip for direction, or come down to look at the head before bowling.
- The Skip now carries the official Scorecard and is responsible for marking the score. However, the Lead, Second or Vice may use a second scorecard to keep the "front end" informed of ends played and the running score.
Etiquette
Etiquette is separate from the Rules of Lawn Bowling or other regulations regarding Conditions of Play which are mandatory. Following good etiquette shows good form in promoting civility and friendship, and it is a sign you respect the game and the players.
Begin each game with a friendly handshake, and end the game with the same. Be a gracious winner and a good loser.
Be ready to step to the mat and play when it is your turn. Possession of the mat is yours only until your delivered bowl comes to rest.
Wait quietly behind the collection of bowls and be prepared to take your next turn. A bowler delivering his/her bowl should not be distracted by noise or movement.
Remain quiet and still on the green behind the head and away from sideline markers until the score has been agreed upon by both teams. You are a team member! Stay in the game!
Never openly criticize the condition of a green. You must adjust your bowling to the conditions.
Never criticize a team member for a poorly-played bowl. Criticism should always be constructive and given privately.
Be sure to compliment a good shot from either your team or an opponent. "Nothing said about a poor shot is the best policy - especially if it gives your team the count!"
Rules
