Modified rules generate strong interest in lawn bowls competition

The lawn bowls revolution launched by the Ultimate Bowls Championship has resulted in a TV audience of more than one million people watching the exciting new format of the sport while also attracting a new interest for playing the game.

The Ultimate Bowls Championship sees teams of the world’s best bowlers compete under modified rules that allow players to score points from every bowl, and for both teams to accumulate points in the same end. The result is much faster, higher-scoring games. 

The million-viewer milestone was reached during the first six episodes of the UBC’s first event in Wollongong broadcast on 7TWO, Fox Sports Australia, and Sky Sport NZ. With viewership figures for Fox Sport Asia not yet released, the actual TV audience is even larger. 

The UBC has a total prize purse of $500,000, making it the most lucrative bowls competition in the world. 

UBC Chief Executive Mark Casey explained that he was “overwhelmed” by interest the new competition has attracted, commenting "to have over one million viewers from all parts of the world watching our first Ultimate Bowls Championship event is just incredible.

“We have a strong vision to help grow our sport throughout the world, and by creating a new, fast and exciting format of play we believe we have the product to do so.” 

Casey, a former bowls world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, said they have received hundreds of emails from people wanting to try the new format of the sport. 

He added “it’s exciting for all players as everyone now has the opportunity to hit the scoreboard with every bowl.

“People who might not have ever considered taking up lawn bowls are suddenly seeing it in a new, interesting light and that can only be good for the sport.”

The second UBC event will be held at the Deer Park Club in Melbourne on 15th and 16th August, with the third at final event in Moama NSW on 12th and 13th December. 

Screening times for the second event will be announced shortly.