Club of the year! National glory for Berkhamsted Bowls Club

Berkhamsted officially hosts one of the best bowls clubs in England after Berkhamsted Bowls Club were named National Club of the Year by its sports governing body Bowls England.
The Berkhamsted Bowls Club juniors played a major role in helping the club to be named National Club of the YearThe Berkhamsted Bowls Club juniors played a major role in helping the club to be named National Club of the Year
The Berkhamsted Bowls Club juniors played a major role in helping the club to be named National Club of the Year

It was a matter of third time lucky for the club, having been runners-up in 2012 and 2013. It was this level of high consistency that Bowls England chief executive Tony Allcock commented on, saying: “It was unanimously felt that the continued year-on-year achievements on and off the green at Berkhamsted gave them the edge.”

The prestigious title is awarded annually to the club that is judged to have shown the greatest efforts to promote the game, their club, increase membership and work with the local community.

Berkhamsted BC beat off stiff competition from runners-up Lyndhurst BC (Durham) and fellow finalists Cowplain BC (Hampshire) and Chacewater BC (Cornwall) to claim the title.

Berkhamsted BC president Kevin Clarke said: “Four years ago we set out to try and make this a glamorous game that appealed to the young as much as anyone.

“In the process of doing that we have re-ignited our members and connected with the community.

“We are a progressive club that is always striving to deliver enjoyment, quality and recreation. This honour is a fantastic reward for our members and will hopefully inspire them to keep delivering.

“This may sound ambitious but I would love Berkhamsted to become synonymous with bowls and not just its castle.”

The club are currently developing their facilities and want to keep up the most successful recruitment campaign in England next season with more taster sessions for all ages, including trying to find some star girl bowlers – boys be warned!