Our Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement is that “We aim to develop amateur sport by promoting the game of bowls for the benefit of residents in Llandrindod Wells and the county of Powys. We provide facilities for learning, coaching, and playing the game of bowls with the objective of improving the health, fitness and overall quality of life of our patrons.”
We are an inclusive club and all are welcome irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, gender and disability.
The Indoor Bowls Centre
Our indoor stadium is six rinks wide with a specialist carpet surface. It is fully heated and allows players to be in shirt sleeves all year round. There is free parking for guests, visitors and members.
This will explain all about our Club. There is something for everyone regardless of their bowling experience or knowledge. By taking part the new bowler will soon gain in confidence and skills. Everybody has the opportunity to progress from informal sessions to internal competitions, representing the club and you could even reach the heights of the National Team.
Membership
The RIBA stadium is open to members and visitors who can all enjoy the facilities, which include catering with a bar and lounge area. For the bowls beginner and those who have none of the necessary equipment, the stadium can provide footwear, bowls and changing rooms without charge. This is a great way to start without the expense of buying equipment. There are qualified RIBA Club Coaches available to give guidance on how to improve your game. We also have advanced level coaches, who can help the more experienced bowlers.
Who is responsible for the running of the Club?
Since 2016 the Club has been a registered charity. Under the Club’s constitution the day to day running of the stadium, tournaments, league matches and fund-raising events are all placed in the hands of elected Trustees, who act as a management committee. Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting. Any member can be nominated for a position and Trustees are re-elected on a rotational basis. A rota of volunteer members called Stewards administer the daily playing sessions.
How are things organised?
The Club has formed Sections for members that cater for Ladies, Men and Juniors and together these play as the Radnorshire Indoor Bowls Club. There are also special sessions for disabled bowlers including those in wheelchairs and we also have high visibility bowls, for those with impaired vision.
The Social Side of Indoor Bowling
The Club has a franchised catering service that provides meals, snacks and hot or cold drinks throughout the day.
On match days and league evenings, the Club-managed BAR is open for members and visitors. It is stocked with a good selection of competitively priced drinks available to members, visiting players and their friends alike. During the course of the year there are social events organised in the evenings. It is always a good night whatever the occasion and you should come along and join us!
Private Functions
Subject to the demands of the bowling programme, the Stadium can be hired for private functions at very reasonable prices.
How can you help?
Support as many of the bowling, social and fund-raising events as you can throughout the year. The Trustees value members’ support and the club couldn’t survive without it.
Like most organisations, the members who contribute are those who get most value from their membership! So, please don’t be afraid of volunteering, you will be well supported. Fund raising is a priority for RIBA as a Registered Charity your proposals and assistance will be appreciated by the Trustees and Members.
What’s on and when?
The Club is open to all standards of players and many members from the Men’s, Ladies’ and Junior Sections have been selected to play for Wales at International level. Disabled players have also been selected to represent Wales, and we are proud to have a number of medal winners in the National Learning disability competitions. Details are posted on the various notice boards inside the stadium. Each year competitions are arranged for players who want to take part in Club leagues and knock-out competitions. This is a way to improve your game by playing with and against some of the better bowlers in the Club and indeed in the country. These competitions are a great way to test your skills, develop and gain experience.
Club Leagues
The Club runs various internal leagues on a year-round basis. Anyone wanting to join (or form) a team suitable for their experience can do so with the help of the Trustees or Team Captains. In the different competitions there are 1 to 4 members in a team; so, with substitutes teams can be made up of twice these numbers! No one need play in every team game – some teams field a different selection on alternate weeks.
Welsh Leagues
The Club enters teams in Men’s and Ladies’ leagues that play home matches and travel to games around Wales.
Major Championships
Individuals and Teams compete in inter-club matches that can lead to selection to play for Wales in International matches.
Membership & Rink Charges
Members join on an annual basis. There are small discounts for Senior members and our Juniors pay a reduced annual membership rate.
- Currently the full membership is £60 per year.
- Lockers are available for £4 per year.
- Rink fees: RIBA members pay only £3.50 for a two hour playing session.
Schools Programme
The Club works with local primary schools to provide a programme for children to come along for taster sessions at the stadium during term time. Children who enjoy these sessions can go on to join the Junior Section of the Club that meets on Friday evenings.
Dress Code
To help maintain the RIBA Stadium atmosphere there are a few rules that members should observe.
Specialist bowling shoes are to be worn when playing. These shoes have smooth soles and no heels and come in various colours, most often white, grey or brown. For informal Club games and with friends and colleagues dress wear is smart casual. For all matches and competitions players must wear either a white top or the RIBA shirt with grey or white trousers. Less important games are played wearing grey trousers or skirt. However, whites are optional. For all later rounds of competitions whites must be worn and also where shown on Match Sheets.
Rules of Bowling
New bowlers will cover the basic rules in their introductory sessions with a Club Coach or an experienced player. Newer bowlers are not expected to know all the Laws of the game. The people you are playing with will help you to stay within the Laws and to follow best practice.
Bowler Etiquette
Observing some basic etiquette adds to the enjoyment of the game for everyone.
The game should be played in a spirit of good sportsmanship and with good manners.
While players make every effort to win, they treat their opponents with courtesy.
A player should not be distracted by an opponent while on the mat preparing to play.
Watching players should be a yard behind the mat (at the bowling end) or 2 yards beyond the ‘head’.
Players on the rink should not move or talk while an opponent is on the mat.
Once a delivered bowl comes to rest possession of the rink is transferred to the opposing team.
No bowls should be disturbed before agreement is reached on the number of ‘shots’ to be recorded.
A nominated player in each team decides the number of ‘shots’ gained no other players are to interfere.
Do not waste time by dwelling on the mat or engaging in protracted team conferences.
Do not follow your bowls to the ‘head’ except where permitted.
Bowlers in competitions must have a working knowledge of the Laws and relevant Byelaws of the sport.
Radnorshire Indoor Bowls Stadium Poem
Yes, we are in the Spa town, I hear you sigh!
Where? Oh, where can it be? Not anywhere near to me.
It’s Off Spa Road, next to the Pavilion, look and you’ll see.
Available to non-members, members, walk-ins and guests,
A social club, with a cafe and bar, ideal to pop in and rest,
We are all volunteers, a charity with the community at heart.
With coaches and stewards, willing to assist in your bowls start.
Bowling shoes and bowls provided, with sizes to suit all.
Three FREE coaching sessions, that you can book in advance.
The large the tall, the short and the small, we cater for you all.
Coaching available for beginners, intermediate and advanced.
The Disabled and Children have their own session,
With a child protection officer, we do things right.
After school and lessons, we offer them their Friday sessions.
Disabled aids, motorised chairs polished and shiny, they’re a sight.
From October to April, we play our member leagues season,
Membership available for reduced rink fees,
Save across the season, we offer them for a good reason.
Come in and try it, you might just think, it’s the bee’s knees!
So, there’s an overview, just for you. Why not come and see?
We are Off Spa Road next to the Pavilion, Pop in and meet ME.
