The British Isles Indoor Bowls U25 Men’s International Series will be hosted in Durham next month.
Supported by Durham County Council and Visit County Durham, the tournament will take place at Stanley Indoor Bowls Centre from February 15-16, raising Durham’s profile as a county recognised for hosting sporting events, but also encouraging local communities to get involved.
The English Indoor Bowling Association (EIBA), National Governing Body for the sport of Indoor Bowls in England, is pleased to announce that at host Nation for the British Isles Indoor U25 Men’s International Series, that it will be using Stanley Indoor Bowls Centre as the venue.
The event will take place 9.30am each day and will see teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales compete in a round robin tournament to determine the British Isles Champions.
This is the first time that Stanley IBC has hosted this tournament, but they have successfully hosted the British Isles U18s and the prestigious Men’s and Women’s International Series and Championships four times. The last being in 2015, which was the last year of a three-year hosting agreement.
Durham County Council and Visit County Durham are valuable support partners in the hosting of the event along with ensuring that the sport of bowls becomes a key activity for the local community in the weeks and months after the event.
With six top-class matches taking place over the two days there is plenty of opportunity for the local community to experience the event and the excellent facilities of Stanley Indoor Bowls Centre. Admission is via programme which is to be purchased for £3.00 on the day
Peter Thompson, chief executive of the EIBA, said: “We are delighted to be using Stanley Indoor Bowls Centre again as our host venue for a major International tournament.
“The club facilities are excellent for the players, officials and spectators. Also we can expect the members of the club and the local community to attend and provide great support to all the teams competing.
“In addition we are grateful of the support Durham County Council, Visit County Durham and the Stanley Directors / Staff in the planning and running of the event.”
Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We’re delighted that on the back of the massive success we enjoyed hosting Cricket World Cup matches at Chester-le-Street, we’re once again able to help bring international class sport to County Durham.
“Events like this can only help raise awareness of the county and bring in visitors who will spend money in local businesses and potentially return once they’ve seen everything we have to offer.
“Speaking as a local lad, I’m sure Stanley will give a warm welcome to this tournament and everyone who will be visiting for it.”
Michelle Gorman, managing director of Visit County Durham, added: “We’re thrilled that Durham has been chosen by the EIBA as the host destination for this major international indoor bowling tournament.
“Not only does this raise our profile as a destination known for hosting global sporting events, but it also encourages local communities to get involved in the tournament, which in turn boosts the county’s visitor economy.”
- Pictured above: Peter Thompson, chairman of EIBA, Brian Harris, president of Stanley Indoor Bowls Club, councillor Carl Marshall, portfolio holder for economic regeneration, Durham County Council, Michelle Gorman, managing director of Visit County Durham, Brett Arkley, Stanley Bowls.