The English Indoor Bowling Association and the East Midlands Premier
Bowls circuit have launched a brand new tournament and format of the
game.
‘Premier Threes’ sponsored by Brewin Dolphin will take
place on Saturday 1st May 2010 at Nottingham Indoor Bowls Centre and
will see 48 players, including Internationals, National Champions and
Club players compete in this brand new Singles competition.
The
Race for Nottingham was the brainchild of three clubs in the East
Midlands all keen to see club hosted Open Singles Tournaments with local
sponsors and a standardised format. Danny Brown of Lincoln IBC, Trevor
Cutts of Nottingham IBC and John Byrne of Erewash IBC formed the East
Midlands Premier Bowls Circuit and with it their own ranking list to
create interest among the players at all levels.
The new dynamic
‘Premier Threes’ format will see players play 3 bowls over 3 sets of 3
ends and if a tie break is required then a 1 bowl shoot out will take
place. This format will be short and sharp and games will last between
20 to 45 minutes.
This New Face of Bowls hopes to attract a new
audience and the day will be more than just bowls - it will be a great
day out. Fun activities and music for the whole family will be staged
along with opportunities to meet the players, have a go at bowls and
competitions.
Tickets for the day will be £5.00 for adults while
children U16 will be free of charge and go on sale from Nottingham
Indoor Bowls Centre, 0115 929 6865 on 8th March 2010.
In
announcing this new initiative Peter Thompson, Chief Executive of EIBA
Ltd, said “we are very excited about this competition as it will bring a
shorter and faster version of the game with plenty of excitement which
we are sure the sports fan will enjoy”. He added “that as we get nearer
1st May we will be announcing a unique initiative for bowls which will
appeal to the public to become involved”.
Robin Beer, Divisional
Director of Brewin Dolphin, commented “we are proud to be associated
with the Race For Nottingham and Nottingham Indoor Bowls Centre. Their
innovative approach towards the Development of the Sport not only at a
local level but national level, is a testament to their vision, drive
and enthusiasm.”
Danny Brown describing the new ‘Premier Threes’
event remarked “We very much hope this version of the game will be akin
to cricket’s 20/20 – short, sharp, colourful and with crowd
participation.”
The ‘Race for Nottingham’ takes the format of 5
Open singles competitions at participating clubs across the East
Midlands and Norfolk. Players are vying for a place in the top 48 on the
ranking list and with it an automatic invite to play in the new ‘Premier
Threes’ event on 1st May.
The 5 Opens are: -
Lincoln 10th
October 2009
Spalding 28th December 2009
Acle 3rd January 2010
Boston 13th February 2010
Ely 3rd April 2010
There has
been a huge amount of interest in this initiative from other Clubs all
over England and it is the vision of the EIBA Ltd and East Midlands
Premier Bowls to expand the Race For Nottingham into further regions
with their own ranking list and entries into the ‘PREMIER THREES’ grand
finale.
For more information please
contact:
Peter Thompson
Chief Operating Executive
EIBA Ltd
01664 481 900
peterthompson@eiba.co.uk
