1. Aims

1.1.  To promote, foster and safeguard the flat green sport of bowls in Surrey.

1.2.  To adopt and conform to BE Regulations and the Laws governing the Sport.

1.3.  To effectively manage the financial affairs of the Organisation.

1.4.  To interpret all rules and regulations.

1.5.  To arbitrate on all disputes between clubs and members.

1.6.  To act on all matters of misconduct and discipline in accordance with BE Regulation 9, 9A and 9B Herein after to be referred to as  Regulation 9.

1.7.  To provide a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy of BE.

1.8.  To respond to requests for advice on the preparation and maintenance of greens.

1.9.  To promote qualifications both in umpiring and coaching.

1.10. To be aware of and disseminate all legislation that might relate to outdoor flat green bowling.

2. Background

Bowling in Surrey has a long tradition. Its first clubs included Croydon founded in 1749, Boileau (1850), Clapham Ramblers (1876) and 16 other clubs founded before SCBA came into being in 1911. Sadly, few of these early clubs still exist. Croydon still exists today.

As you can imagine a great number of changes have taken place since then, and the county is constantly evolving.

In 1911 it was just men that were associated with the County, at that time women were not permitted. To be fair, in those days women were expected to run the home, so they did not have time to play bowls.

Shortly after the Association was founded there was a war, so bowling took a back seat, however, once the war had ended, bowling became a major pastime and many clubs were established, there have been 429 clubs in Surrey. As at 2022 we currently have 119.

It was not until 1932 that the Surrey County Womens Association (SCWBA) was established, it took them three attempts to get the SCBA to agree.

The national governing body for SCBA until 2008 was English Bowling Associatio (EBA) and for the SCWBA it was the English Womens Bowling Association (EWBA), and they all ran independently of each other.

In 2008 Bowls England (BE) was established, this brought an end to the EBA & EWBA, however, their history remains, and we should be grateful for all they did for bowls in this country,

So what has all that got to do with Surrey you ask, well BE decided that they would only speak to one body in each county, Surrey of course had two SCBA & SCWBA, so the two associations with the consent of clubs decided to form a (Bridge) that would act as a link between BE & Surrey, this (Bridge) was set up in 2011. In effect it was a glorified postbox, however to operate it had to have people, so a (Board) was established, it was soon realised the bridge needed a name. Many of the other counties had used the word Bowls in front of their County, so Surrey decided that it would follow suit and become BOWLS SURREY (BS).

It soon became clear that the Bridge had to be more than a "letterbox" that the board had to be elected, so an AGM was established in addition to the AGM's held by both Associations. After two years of poor attendance at the BS AGM's. It was agreed to hold just one AGM that dealt with the business of both Associations & BS, at this point BS did not have a constitution, so the first item on the agenda was to agree a constitution, which now serves everyone in Surrey.

Up until 2015, the Associations were not permitted to play mixed gender matches, however, they were permitted to be on the same green but not play as mixed rinks. Many clubs at this time had or were becoming mixed clubs and playing many mixed matches. The SCBA & SCWBA were being asked for mixed celebration matches & they were being refused. It was in 2013 that John Tucker & Zoe Hollins met up for coffee as Junior Vice Presidents of their associations, during their discussions they decided that they would try and convince their associations to play mixed celebration matches. It was finally agreed that mixed celebration matches would go ahead, but under the BS banner.

From 2020, a number of things that were under the SCBA & SCWBA have moved across to BS. We now have as you can see one website instead of two. We have an online match and competition system that serves both men & women, we have one County uniform.

A major step forward was taken at the Bowls Surrey Annual General Meeting on 26 November 2022 when it was agreed unanimously to have one organisation instead of three. This is to be achieved no later than the AGM 2024, however, at the 2023 AGM it was announced had been put into place to complete unification in during 2024.

Due to the history of the two associations it was confirmed that competitions, county matches, awards & the benevolent funds would remain under the flags of SCBA & SCWBA.