Welcome and thank you for visiting this site.
Introduction
Short Mat bowls is played on a mat which measures 6 feet wide by about 40 feet long. It is certainly not carpet bowls and is a challenging sport.
The equipment used indoors is based on the outdoor game in that we use the same bowls, delivery mat, measures, etc. However, to make life difficult, a white wooden block measuring 15 long, 3 inches high and 2 inches wide is placed in the centre of the mat. It is uncanny how your bowls seem to be attracted to this block of wood!
Our indoor season starts at the end of September and finishes in March. I think the club in Melbourne was established to give the summer bowlers something to do in the winter.
We have a practice night on a Monday evening between 7pm and 9pm and everyone is welcome to attend on these nights. These evenings are usually great fun and involve a lot of laughter.
Wednesday evenings are set aside for league matches. We play in the Selby second division in the North Yorkshire leagues. Tut Floyd, our club captain, makes a point of giving everyone a game and you find yourself travelling to village halls all over our area.
As with the outdoor game, we run club knockout competitions in which everyone plays.
I really enjoy the social interaction between our members and opposing teams. It is a good night out especially as there is usually nothing to watch on the television.
Costs
Our annual membership fee is £20 and we pay £3 each for each evening you bowl. The membership fee covers the cost of being members of the Selby and North Yorkshire leagues. The £3 fee is to cover the cost of hiring the village hall. There are no other costs.
Dress Code
You must always wear bowls shoes when playing on the mats but if you just want to try the game a shoe or slipper with a flat sole will do. On practice evenings, there is no dress code but for league matches we wear white shirts, grey trousers and dark green tops.
Equipment
Many players use the same bowls indoors as the do outdoors. If you just want to come along and try the sport, then we will lend you a set of woods to help you.
Conclusion
I hope that you find the above informative but should you have any questions or wish to visit the club then please contact me.
email: chair.lb@melbournebowls.org.uk