A Century of Bowling - Royal County of Berkshire Bowling Association

UNIVERSITY OF
READING BOWLS CLUB
• Founded 1979
• Earley Gate, Whiteknights, Reading
• Affiliated 1980
In the early days we played friendlies, but over time we have attracted some
talented players, who have then gone on to win County and National Honours,
although they have moved on, to further their ambitions with other Clubs.
We are quite unique as the only University with a bowling green on its campus. Membership
comes from all sections of the University Staff, together with a strong cohort of retired,
family, associate and community members. Occasionally, some students have joined the
Club, even though the outdoor season is much longer than the University Summer Term.
In the late 1980’s we joined Manchester Unity Mixed Triples League, and won this for the
first time in 1994. In 1995 we entered the Kennet League and have been moved around
as a result of the East /West reorganization, and have moved up and down the leagues,
and currently reside in Division 2. The Kennet League has produced a great opportunity to
play more competitive bowls, which has helped all concerned to compete more strongly in
County and National Competitions.
We run our activities as a mixed Club, with the ladies section increasing in strength year
on year. The ladies have also provided a Club Captain, and we were one of the first Clubs in
Berkshire to do so.
Our active “Retired League”, which started in 1993, is a very popular league and currently
some 30% of our members play in this weekly points league.
Maintenance of the green is very much a joint effort by members and they have produced a
good bowling surface for our some 80 members and visitors to play on.
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