All eyes will be on Aberdeen Indoor Bowls Club next month when some of the biggest names in the sport will be competing in the World Bowls Indoor Championship.

World Bowls and the International Indoor Bowls Council (IIBC) are very pleased that 32 countries have entered to play in this year’s indoor showcase. All five corners of the globe will be represented in the six-day event which pits the European and Oceania powerhouses against those from the America’s, Asia and African regions.

Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest city. So let’s find out about the host club located in the north-east of Scotland which is known for its proximity to the sea and its famous granite architecture.

Andrew Grant, Aberdeen IBC secretary tells us: “Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Club opened in 1963 with eight rinks. It became so popular that the waiting list for members reached 13 years. Because of this, it had another four rinks added a couple of years later giving us now 12 rinks.

“The club initially had over 3,000 members but now for various reasons have in the region of 1,500.

“The club also supports ‘Blind Bowlers’ who have a weekly competition which they thoroughly enjoy.

“We also have training nights for children who wish to take up the sport of bowling.

“Our 12 rinks are constantly used from September to April with league and knockout competitions.

“We currently host teams from all over Scotland in gents, ladies and senior gents competitions.

“We have recently hosted in February the British Isles Indoor Bowls Council’s ladies Under 25s International Series. This proved to be a very successful competition with teams from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland along with all of their officials and supporters. We also hosted this competition in 2005. We hosted the gents Under 25 International Series in February 2019. Over the years, we have hosted many other international competitions.

“In addition to our 12 rinks the club also has a coffee shop, restaurant, bar and bowls Shop.

“The club is looking forward to hosting this event and welcoming the players from all over the world which is a great event for the club and the city of Aberdeen.

“All of our committee members are committed to hosting and welcoming this competition and trust that all concerned will leave Aberdeen at the end of the week with happy thoughts of the club and the city.

“There are over 100 car parking spaces for club members and visitor use so we hope to have lots of support.”

World Bowls CEO, Neil Dalrymple, said: “World Bowls, International Indoor Bowls Council and Aberdeen Indoor Bowls Club have worked very well in partnership to deliver the 2025 event and we are looking forward to what will be a very competitive competition featuring many world class bowlers together with some players who are new to the world stage.”

IIBC president Gordon Woods added: “The World Bowls Indoor Championships continues to grow in stature each year and this year we are looking forward to welcoming 32 countries to the northeast of Scotland in April.

“Aberdeen is one of the great indoor bowling clubs in the world and I have no doubt that all of the competitors at the event will have a great experience there.

“With competitors from every continent on display and a star-studded entry field, I would encourage anyone who can attend this event to make the effort to visit Aberdeen for what will be a showcase event for the sport.”

WORLD BOWLS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Thirty-two countries are taking part in the World Bowls and the International Indoor Bowls Council (IIBC) event.

All five corners of the globe will be represented in the six-day event which pits the European and Oceania powerhouses against those from the America’s, Asia and African regions.

Three of the most sought-after titles are up for grabs in the women’s and men’s singles and mixed pairs competitions which sees a some of the best names in the sport competing including Jack McShane (Australia) World Bowls Series’ No 3 ranked player, Stewart Anderson (Scotland), No 15, Ross Owen (Wales), No 23, Kelsey Cottrell (Australia), No 3 on the women’s list, Esme Kruger (South Africa), No 8, Tayla Bruce (New Zealand), No 18, Alison Merrien MBE (Guernsey), No 23, and Connie Rixon (Malta), No 53, who was silver medallist in 2024.

For the full player field for the event, click here.

*Since 2022, the event has been jointly sanctioned by World Bowls and the IIBC. Previously, it was run by the World Indoor Bowls Council/IIBC.

WORLD BOWLS SERIES

The World Bowls Indoor Championship is a Platinum event on the World Bowls Series (WBS) calendar. The WBS was launched in 2024, is the official year-long calendar of sanctioned events connecting to the official world rankings. It is a joint venture between World Bowls and Tier 5 Ventures. The sanctioned events occur across the globe and will feature a mixture of existing and new events. The 2025 calendar has just been launched (see www.worldbowlsseries) and features 30 sanctioned events. Each WBS event will belong to a different tier having different ranking points based on the size, location, and stature it presents for the sport.

The purpose of WBS is to build the profile and brand of bowls, showcase the best players in the game and increase their earnings potential, accelerate the legitimacy of the sport on the global stage and launch world rankings that will help create clarity and interest in the sport of bowls.

The Victorian Open (March 21-30) and Asian Lawn Bowls Championship (April 27-May 4) are the next event events on the calendar.

For the latest rankings, see www.worldbowlsseries.com

Any further enquiries can made to:

General – World Bowls CEO, Neil Dalrymple at ceo@worldbowls.com

Media – Ceris Hewlings at ceris.hewlings@keypublishing.com

Caption: Aberdeen IBC