World Bowls is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Short Mat Bowls Council; an organisation committed to the promotion and development of short mat bowls worldwide.

The MOU outlines the preliminary understanding between World Bowls and the World Short Mat Bowls Council for a partnership aimed at expanding the global presence of both outdoor and indoor bowls and short mat bowls.                                                                                                                                                                                .

The parties have agreed to establish an official global partnership whereby World Bowls will provide an official endorsement to the World Short Mat Bowls Council.

The partnership will focus on collaborative efforts to promote both disciplines of bowls worldwide, utilising strategic marketing and event execution in key markets with the goal of increasing participation across targeted regions.

The World Short Mat Bowls Council will provide expertise and support for any World Bowls-sanctioned programmes as agreed, particularly its development activity, while World Bowls will provide necessary introductions and support to the World Short Mat Bowls Council to assist with connections or leads for funding, sponsorship, technology solutions, manufacturers and investment sources.

Brett O’Riley, World Bowls President, commented: “World Bowls is very pleased to partner with the World Short Mat Bowls Council, and they will be an important strategic partner to help us grow participation in existing and emerging countries and improve the reach and development of Bowls globally.

“Short mat enables us to take the sport of bowls to new playing groups like schools and new countries, we have already seen short mats used successfully in the launch of bowls in Ghana and West Africa.”

Barry Hedges, chair, World Short Mat Bowls Council, said: “To be asked to work alongside World Bowls in developing short mat bowls as a full internationally recognised sport is an honour as well as a fantastic opportunity.

“The two bodies will work closely together using the Short Mat module to enable the development of bowls to a wider audience in many more countries. Increasing the profile of bowls and assisting with the growth of our sport at grass root level which will no doubt also prove to be an amazing milestone in the future of short mat bowls not only in Britain but worldwide.”

The MOU is for five years.

For more information regarding the World Bowls, contact: Neil Dalrymple, CEO, World Bowls, ceo@worldbowls.com