Welcome to the Umpires Page

The Crystal Mark Edition of the World Bowls Laws,  Domestic Regulations,and changes to the Bowls Australia "Laws of the Sport of Bowls" book are available at http://www.bowls-aust.com.au/index.php?id=141

In particular, please be aware of the following changes to domestic rules that were implemented on 13th January 2008.

Replacements and Substitutions

 Click here for a copy of the changes relating to Replacements and Substitutions

Testing of Bowls

 Click here for a copy of the changes relating to Testing of Bowls

Changes to Laws @ 13^th January 2009

2.1          Testing and stamping of bowls (law 8.2.3)

2.1.1      Bowls Australia reserves the right to randomly test a set of bowls owned by or used by a player.  It is the responsibility of each bowler who participates in club championship competitions and above to ensure that all sets of bowls used by the bowler in the event(s) comply with the legal requirement that the matched sets have a bias equal to or greater than the Working Reference Bowl (Law 8.2.1).

2.2          The deposit to be paid when a challenge to bowls is lodged (Law 8.3.4)

2.2.1      The amount is $150.00.

2.3          Requirements for the stamp on bowls (Law 9.5)

2.3.1      As a minimum, all bowls must carry the stamp of the current calendar year or greater in which the competition/event takes place where BA is the controlling body. The definition of a bowls stamp can be found in the Laws of the Sport of Bowls – Crystal Mark Edition (Law 9.5)

2.4          Consequences for an event/competition as a result of a Bowls Challenge:

2.4.1      The following action will be applied by the Tournament Director once a Challenge has been lodged:

2.4.1.1   The bowls are to be sent immediately to the nearest Licensed Bowls Tester as per Law 8.4

2.4.1.2  If subsequent games are being played after the challenge within the same even the following action should be applied:

               a)      Section Play – The Player may continue play with another set of legal bowls until the result of the testing is determined.  Should the Bowls fail, the Laws of the Sport of Bowls – Crystal Mark Edition Law 8.5.1 will be applied.

               b)      Knockout Play – The result of the test must be determined before any subsequent games can be played.

2.4.1.3   Where the result of the test is not available in a practicable timeframe, the tournament/event conditions of play will prevail over the Domestic Regulations.

2.5          Bowls failing a test

2.5.1      Law 8.5 form the Laws of the Sport of Bowls – Crystal Mark edition indicates that when a player’s bowls fail the table test then the game in which they were challenged should be forfeited to the opponent.  If no evidence is presented or reported by the licensed tester that the bowls have been deliberately altered, then no further disciplinary action will be taken against the bowler.

2.5.2      Law 8.6.2 of the Laws of the Sport of Bowls – Crystal Mark Edition indicates that any player who intentionally alters the bias of a set of bowls other than by a licensed Bowls Tester will be suspended from playing for as long as Bowls Australia determines.

2.5.3      In determining the penalty, the minimum penalty applicable for intentionally altering the bias of a bowl is 12 months.