Membership

We review our annual subscriptions each year and these are payable by 30th of April each year.

We warmly welcome new members of all ages to join our friendly lawn bowling club. Whether you’re a seasoned player or completely new to the sport, we have a place for you. Our membership year runs from April to April.

The fees for the 2025 – 2026 season (12 months, April to April) are:

Membership Fees:

• Full Adult Membership (Standard Rate): £140 per year.
  • (This is the standard annual fee for existing members or for new members after their first introductory year).
• New Full Playing Member: £100 for the first year.
  • This introductory rate is available to individuals who are completely new to the club and have not previously been members. This rate does not apply to those rejoining after a break in membership.
• Junior Membership (Under 18s): Free.

We are particularly keen to encourage more younger people to discover the enjoyable and skillful sport of lawn bowls.

Introductory Coaching for New Bowlers:

For anyone who hasn’t bowled before, regardless of age, it is essential that proper coaching takes place to ensure you learn the correct techniques, understand the etiquette of the game, and can play safely.

• Expert Guidance: These introductory lessons will be carried out by our qualified club coaches, who not only hold coaching certifications but also possess many years of personal bowling experience. They are dedicated to providing expert instruction on the basics of lawn bowls, including stance, delivery, aim, safety on the green, and the rules of the game.
• Supportive Learning: Our coaches foster a supportive and fun learning environment, helping all new players to build confidence and enjoy their introduction to the sport. This also provides an excellent opportunity to get to know other members and become familiar with the club.

Important Notes for Junior Members (Under 18s):

The safety and wellbeing of our junior members are paramount. In addition to the introductory coaching mentioned above, please note the following:

• Supervision: All members under the age of 18 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times while on the club premises and during any club-related activities. This is to ensure their safety and to provide guidance and support.
• Mandatory Introductory Lessons: As with all new, inexperienced bowlers, under 18s are required to participate in the series of introductory lessons provided by our experienced and qualified coaches.

We believe these measures, particularly the emphasis on quality coaching for beginners, help create a secure, skillful, and welcoming atmosphere for all our members. If you have any questions regarding membership, coaching, or our child protection policies, please do not hesitate to contact the Club Secretary.

A few important points

Full Playing Membership allows members to play on the green when it is available for play (7 days a week and most times of the day), and when it isn’t under maintenance or being used for official matches. Whether it is suitable for play is determined by our Green Keepers.

Full Playing Membership doesn’t guarantee a place in any external league teams, but allows selectors to include Full Playing Members in their selection process.

Full Playing Members will be able to play in all internal competitions, leagues and social games. Just like most other sports, a membership is about the member being allowed to use certain facilities, either socially and/or the grounds (playing).

Selection in teams for external competitions and leagues for most clubs and sports is on merit, suitability and ability. Millwood Bowling Club is no different.

Social members cannot play on the green.

Membership is open to all, irrespective of disability, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender or sexuality and ‘The Club’ shall strive to eliminate racism, sexism and all other forms of discrimination in the sport of bowls.

We have a membership made up of Playing, Social and Life members.

We play bowls from April through September outdoors, and members have an active social calendar of music, comedy, bingo & quizzes throughout the year. We also play indoors as a club at Sully Indoor Bowls Arena from October to April.

Sully Indoor Bowls Arena (South Wales Bowls and Recreation Centre (SWBRC)) has no connection to Millwood Bowling Club in regards to membership and fees, and membership at Sully is completely separate to membership fees at Millwood Bowling Club. Millwood players who wish to play indoors pay Sully directly the required indoor annual membership (or pay as you play) and rink fees that SWBRC require.

Our external and internal leagues (April – Sept) are normally:

Monday: Evening Internal league (mixed)

Tuesday: Afternoon External League – Home & Away (Ladies)

Wednesday: Evening External Cup Matches – Home & Away (Men)

Thursday: Afternoon External League – Home & Away (Ladies)

Friday: Evening Social ‘roll-up’ at Millwood (mixed)

Saturday: Afternoon External League https://www.eastwalesprivategreens.org – Home & Away (Men – Clubside (16 players) & A-Side (16 players))

Contacting the club out of season:

a) In person, every Monday is a coffee morning from 10.30am till around midday. Feel free to pop down. Also, most Friday evenings there is a social function (be it bingo, a quiz, live entertainment) – usually from 7.30pm. At other times if the gate is open it means that someone is around the club either having a coffee, tending to the green or some maintenance.
b) By phone 01446 744237, ring the club most mornings and there is a change somebody is around (especially a Monday morning). Also email: email our secretary …

Contacting the club during the season:

a) All the above.
b) The green is open from 11am till dusk during the bowls season. Members are able to play at any time (as long as a rink is free and not being used for organised matches) – so you should catch somebody at the club.

Animals are permitted into the club with the understanding of the following:

a) Dogs will be allowed into the clubhouse when there is no food being served i.e on match day events etc.
b) They are to be kept on a leash and their owners in full control of the dog/s whilst in the club grounds.

Smoking areas – The following areas will be allowed:

a) The current location to the left of the main gate entrance, as you enter the club (to the right of the clubhouse if viewed from the green).
b) The BBQ area to the left (as viewed from the green) of the clubhouse, as this provides cover in adverse weather conditions.
c) The benches around the green.

Please be mindful of non-smokers in these areas, just as a common courtesy.