Originally featured in Bowls International Magazine.

One of the great strengths of bowls is its truly global footprint. From community greens to world championships, our sport connects people across continents, cultures and generations.

As World Bowls looks to the future, a key priority is ensuring this global community is better connected, better supported and better engaged than ever before.

That ambition is reflected in the current World Bowls Strategic Plan, which places a strong emphasis on strengthening digital capability across the sport. Improving these systems allows World Bowls to increase engagement with players, enhance development opportunities, improve communication with stakeholders and deliver greater value to Member National Authorities (MNAs) and partners.

A major step forward in this journey is the continued development of the official World Bowls Match Centre platform.

The Match Centre has quickly become the central hub for elite bowls competition worldwide, providing access to live scoring, official results and competition management across World Bowls and World Bowls Series sanctioned events.

Introducing the World Bowls Player ID

World Bowls is now expanding the platform with the introduction of two important new features:

  • Individual World Bowls Player ID accounts available to all bowlers affiliated with a Member National Authority
  • Dedicated MNA profiles designed to strengthen stakeholder management, communication and data collection

At the heart of this initiative is a simple idea: giving every affiliated player a single, recognised digital identity within the international bowls system.

What is a World Bowls Player ID?

A World Bowls Player ID is a unique account that connects an individual player directly to the World Bowls and World Bowls Series ecosystem.

For many players who have already competed in ranking events, existing World Bowls Series Ranking IDs will transition seamlessly into a World Bowls ID.

For others, registration is straightforward and supported through a step-by-step guide, ensuring players at all levels can easily access the system.

What does this mean for players?

Creating a World Bowls ID account delivers a range of practical and long-term benefits, including:

  • Direct entry into World Bowls and World Bowls Series events through the Match Centre platform
  • Simplified access to competition information and official results in one location
  • Direct communication from World Bowls and the World Bowls Series, ensuring players receive accurate and timely information
  • Integration with the World Bowls Academy, including recognition of coaching and officiating accreditations
  • The ability to create and manage a personal player profile, supporting visibility and accuracy throughout the sport

The World Bowls ID gives players greater control over their information while creating a stronger connection to the international game.

Supporting MNAs and the Wider Sport

Alongside player accounts, dedicated MNA profiles within the platform will assist national authorities with data management, communication and planning.

Better data leads to better decisions. This initiative will support everything from high-performance pathways and event planning to governance, safeguarding and development funding.

It represents a significant step forward in modernising how the sport is collectively managed and grown across the world.

Looking Ahead

Digital transformation is not about technology for technology’s sake. It is about creating better experiences, clearer pathways and stronger connections from grassroots level through to the pinnacle of international competition.

The World Bowls Player ID is a foundational piece of that future.

As more players register and engage with the platform, its value will continue to grow for individuals, MNAs and the global bowls community alike.

World Bowls encourages all affiliated players to create or activate their World Bowls ID account and use the available guidelines to assist with registration.

The sport of bowls has a proud history. By embracing the right digital tools, World Bowls is helping ensure it also has a strong and exciting future.

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