Sport | Bowls |
---|---|
Jurisdiction | Ireland |
Abbreviation | IBA |
Founded | 1904 |
Affiliation | World Bowls |
Headquarters | Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland |
Secretary | John Millar |
Official website | |
www | |
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The Irish Bowling Association is the governing body for the sport of bowls for men in Ireland. The organisation is responsible for the promotion and development of lawn bowls in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and is affiliated with the world governing body World Bowls. [1] The IBA also falls under the umbrella of the Irish Bowls Federation. [2]
Bowls in Ireland began with Scottish and English settlers in Northern Ireland during the 17th century.[ citation needed ]
In 1903, J. C. Hunter of Belfast visited England following an invitation by W.G. Grace and this led to five clubs forming the Irish Bowls Association (IBA) in 1904. [3] However, it was not until the affiliation of the Dublin-based Kenilworth Bowling Club to the IBA that the organisation encompassed all of Ireland. [4]
The Irish National Bowls Championships were inaugurated in 1908. [5] [6]
The Irish Women's Bowling Association was formed in 1947 and as of 2024, Ireland was the only country from the leading bowls nations still to have separate associations for men and women.
International Bowling Federation (IBF), formerly known as the Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ) from 1952 to April 2014 and as World Bowling (WB) from April 2014 to November 2020, is the world governing body of nine-pin and ten-pin bowling. IBF was founded in 1952 in Hamburg, Germany by officials of the International Bowling Association to grow worldwide interest in amateur ten-pin and nine-pin bowling, as well as international friendship by encouraging world and zone tournaments and other competition between bowlers of different countries. IBF has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee since 1979 as the governing body for bowling sports. Starting with five member federations in 1952, it grew to 141 in 2010. IBF has member federations located in all five Olympic regions.
Bowls England governs the game of flat green outdoor bowls for men and women in England. The organisation is responsible for the promotion and development of lawn bowls in England, and is affiliated with the world governing body World Bowls.
Welsh Lawn Bowls (WLB) is the governing body for outdoor bowling clubs in Wales. The organisation is responsible for the promotion and development of lawn bowls in Wales, and is affiliated with the world governing body World Bowls.
Bowls Australia is the governing body for the sport of bowls in Australia. Bowls Australia is responsible for the leadership, development and management of lawn bowls in Australia. It is a not-for-profit organisation governed by a voluntary board that provides the strategic direction for the sport and the strategies that are implemented by the staff at the national office.
Jeremy Norman Henry is a former Irish and current Australian lawn and indoor bowler born in Northern Ireland.
Margaret Johnson MBE is a former Northern Irish lawn and indoor bowler.
David Corkill is a former international lawn and indoor bowler and current sports commentator.
Robert Fulton was a Scottish international lawn bowler who represented Ireland.
Gary Samuel McCloy is an Irish international lawn and indoor bowler.
Bowls South Africa, (BSA) is the governing body for the sport of bowls in South Africa. Bowls South Africa is responsible for the promotion and development of lawn bowls in South Africa, and is affiliated with the world governing body World Bowls, as well as SASCOC.
Percy Thomson Watson, was a Northern Ireland international lawn bowler.
The Irish National Bowls Championships combines Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Traditionally, the game was played mainly in Northern Ireland, but the Kenilworth Bowling Club of Dublin joined the Irish Bowls Association in 1906, which prompted the merger into one team. With the exception of the Commonwealth Games, players continue to represent a combined Ireland team at all major international championships.
World Bowls is an international sport federation of Bowls. World Bowls administers bowls around the world and is responsible for the sports premier event, the World Bowls Championship which is held every four years.
Bowls New Zealand is the governing body for the sport of bowls in New Zealand. The organisation is responsible for the promotion and development of lawn bowls in New Zealand, and is affiliated with the world governing body World Bowls.
Bowls Scotland is the governing body for the sport of bowls in Scotland. A subsidiary of World Bowls, it is responsible for the leadership, development and management of lawn bowls in Scotland. It is headquartered in Ayr.
Lawn Bowls Association of Hong Kong, China formerly the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association (HKLBA) is the governing body for the sport of bowls in Hong Kong, China. The organisation is responsible for the promotion and development of lawn bowls in Hong Kong, and is affiliated with the world governing body World Bowls.
The Irish Women's Bowling Association is the governing body for the sport of bowls for women in Ireland. The organisation is responsible for the promotion and development of lawn bowls in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and is affiliated with the world governing body World Bowls. The IWBA also falls under the umbrella of the Irish Bowls Federation.
Bowls USA is the governing body for the sport of bowls in the United States. The organization is responsible for the promotion and development of lawn bowls in the United States, and is affiliated with the world governing body World Bowls.
Bowls Canada is the governing body for the sport of bowls in Canada. The organization is responsible for the promotion and development of lawn bowls in Canada, and is affiliated with the world governing body World Bowls.