Instituted 1904
CONSTITUTION AND RULES
Revised December 2025
1. Title
The name of the Association, which is the governing body of the sport of male outdoor bowls in Ireland, shall be the Irish Bowling Association, hereinafter, referred to as the IBA.
2. Objects
The objects of the IBA shall be to promote, foster and regulate the game of bowls in Ireland in every legitimate way by holding annual competitions; by selecting and arranging the teams for representative matches; and by co-operating with kindred associations throughout the world for the furtherance of the game.
In carrying out these objectives the IBA shall aim to promote the sport of bowls throughout Ireland in a manner which encourages equal opportunity to participate irrespective of age, marital status, sexual orientation, racial group, religious belief, political opinion, disability or other groupings and requires its member clubs to provide similar equality of opportunity.
3. Membership
The IBA shall consist of:
Associations
The Northern Ireland Private Greens Bowling League (NIPGBL)
The Northern Ireland Bowling Association (NIBA)
The Northern Ireland Provincial Bowling Association (NIPBA)
Irish Lawn Bowls (ILB).
Clubs
Clubs applying for membership of the IBA must be a member club of an Association.
Application for membership of the IBA must be made in writing to the Honorary Secretary and shall state the name of the club together with the names and addresses of its office-bearers and committee members. The fate of the application shall be determined by the Council.
Individuals
A male member of an Association shall be deemed to be a member of the IBA on the payment of the appropriate capitation fee by the Association. This entitles the member to play in any Irish Championship or Cup competition. The member may also hold Office in the IBA, be elected to Council, attend a General Meeting or Special General Meeting but shall only have speaking and voting rights if he is a club delegate.
A female member of an Association shall be deemed to be an Associate Member of the IBA on the payment of the appropriate fee by the Association. This entitles the member to play in any Irish Cup competition. No other rights are conferred on the member by this type of membership.
Honorary Members
The IBA shall have the power to elect as an Honorary Member any gentleman whose position among bowlers, or whose services in the interest of the game, are such as entitle him to that distinction and who has been recommended by the Council for election. The number of Honorary Members shall not exceed 15.
An Honorary Member shall be entitled to attend General Meetings, but he shall have no vote unless he is also an Office-bearer or the delegate of a club or an Association of Clubs.
4. Finance
The financial year shall end on 30th September of each year. Expenses in excess of available funds shall be borne in equal proportions by the member clubs of the IBA, if so demanded.
Bank Accounts
Any bank account in which any part of the assets of the IBA is deposited shall indicate the name of the IBA. The Council shall be empowered to resolve upon the operation of any such bank account according to such mandate as it shall think prudent and fit from time to time.
Monies due from Clubs
Monies due in respect of entry fees to Irish Cup competitions must be received by the Honorary Treasurer not later than 31st January each year. Should a club fail to comply with this date it shall forfeit the right to be included in that year’s Irish Cup competitions.
Monies due from Associations
Capitation fees and Associate Membership fees shall be collected by each Association and shall be forwarded to the IBA by 30th June each year.
The ILB and its member clubs shall pay the Euro equivalent of all sums due to the IBA at the Sterling rate of exchange in operation on 1st January of the current year.
Setting of Fees
Irish Cup entrance fees, Capitation fees and Associate Membership fees will be as set each year at the Annual General Meeting.
5. Office-bearers
The Office-bearers of the IBA, in whose names it may sue or be sued, shall consist of:
President
Vice-President
Honorary Secretary
Honorary Assistant Secretary
Honorary Treasurer
Honorary Competitions Secretary
Honorary Governance Officer
Honorary Development Officer
The President and Vice-President shall occupy their respective offices for a period of one year. The then existing Vice-President shall be appointed President, and a new Vice-President elected at each Annual General Meeting.
The Vice-President shall be nominated yearly in the following rota of Associations of Clubs:
NIPGBL, NIPBA, ILB, NIBA and repeat.
Not later than 10 September, the Honorary Secretary shall ask the Association whose right it is to nominate to submit a nomination which must be received not later than 1 November. In the event of an Association waiving its right to nominate, the Association next in order shall have the privilege.
The name of the nominee shall then be submitted to the Council and, if approved, shall be ratified at the Annual General Meeting.
If, through unforeseen circumstances, the Office of President or Vice-President should become vacant, the relevant Association shall have the option of filling the vacancy, subject to the approval of the Council.
The President or, in his absence, the Vice-President or, in their absence, another member of the Council who shall be duly proposed, seconded and agreed, shall preside at all meetings of the Council or committees (except the International Selection, Finance and Competitions Committees) and shall have a deliberate and, in the case of equality, a casting vote.
The Honorary Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a record of all business transacted at General Meetings and Council meetings and for such duties assigned to him by these bodies.
At the Annual General Meeting he shall submit a report dealing with the past year’s proceedings.
The Honorary Assistant Secretary shall be responsible for such duties as may be delegated to him by the Honorary Secretary or Council.
The Honorary Treasurer shall keep a detailed account of all receipts and disbursements which shall be audited by an accountant (or accountants) in public practice who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Honorary Treasurer shall present an audited Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account for the preceding year ended 30 September at the Annual General Meeting.
The Honorary Competitions Secretary shall be responsible for the preparation, organisation and carrying into effect of the National Championship and the Irish Cups and shall maintain proper records of each Championship and each Irish Cup.
The Honorary Governance Officer shall be responsible for the maintenance of all policies, procedures and regulatory changes.
The Honorary Development Officer shall be responsible for promoting the game of bowls and to increasing the number of people participating in the sport at all levels. He shall work with Clubs in the furtherance of these objectives.
6. Non-Council Office Bearers
Safeguarding Officer
The Safeguarding Officer has responsibility for overseeing the adoption and implementation of safeguarding practice and procedures regarding children and vulnerable adults in sport.
Anti Doping Officer
The Anti Doping Officer shall ensure adherence with all relevant rules and regulations (WADA). It shall be a fundamental condition of Membership that members comply with such rules.
Marketing and Public Relations Officer
The Marketing and Public Relations Officer shall be responsible identifying sponsorship opportunities for the IBA and for promoting its activities through the press, social media and other forms of communication.
International Team Manager
The Council shall appoint an International Team Manager to manage any team or squad selected to represent the IBA. The International Team Manager may not serve as a selector for the Association of which he is a member, nor may he hold the position of Irish Bowls Federation High-Performance Coach.
As soon as possible after the conclusion of representative matches or tournaments, the International Team Manager shall report on the performance of teams and individual players to the Council.
The International Team Manager shall hold his position for a period of three years. At the end of this period his tenure may be extended for another three years at the discretion of the Council.
Should the International Team Manager consider it beneficial to have a dedicated Team Manager to manage the Under 25 or Under 18 International Teams he should submit a name(s) to the International Selection Committee and the Council for approval. If ratified the appointment shall be for one year. At the end of this period his tenure may be extended for another year at the discretion of the Council.
The above Non-Council Office Bearers will attend Council meetings as and when required. They shall have no voting rights.
Assistant International Team Manager
The Council shall appoint an Assistant International Team Manager who will carry out those duties allocated to him by the International Team Manager. The Assistant International Team Manager may not serve as a selector for the Association of which he is a member, nor may he hold the position of Irish Bowl Federation High-Performance Coach.
The Assistant International Team Manager shall hold his position for a period of three years. At the end of this period his tenure may be extended for another three years at the discretion of the Council.
When an Officer position, with the exception of those of President and Vice President, becomes vacant a job description will be posted on the IBA website and expressions of interest sought within the indicated time frame. The Council or appointed sub-committee may only interview those who seem qualified for the position. Should Council decide to recommend a particular candidate to the Annual General Meeting this does not preclude other nominations being made by those in attendance.
Should Council determine that no applicant has the skills or specialist knowledge required for any advertised position it shall have the authority to seek, by whatever means it considers most appropriate, applications from outside the membership of the IBA.
7. Management
The business of the IBA shall be conducted by a Council and such standing and ad-hoc Committees as the Council deems necessary for the efficient administration of IBA business. The Objectives of the council are:
Strategic Direction
Set the overarching vision, strategy and budgets for bowls in Ireland, ensuring alignment with membership needs and long-term organisational sustainability.
Governance and Compliance
Maintain strong governance structures and practices, complying with all relevant laws, regulations, and best-practice standards.
Oversight and Accountability
Monitor organisational performance, financial health, and risk management
Representation and Advocacy
Represent the interests of the bowls community at national and, where relevant, international levels, cultivating partnerships and promoting the sport’s growth and reputation.
The Council shall be composed of the Office-bearers together with two delegates from each of the NIBA, NIPBA, NIPGL and ILB. The names of delegates must be submitted to the Honorary Secretary no later than the date of the AGM and they shall assume office at the first meeting of the Council held after that date and shall be entitled to attend any General Meeting held thereafter including the next AGM at which they shall relinquish office unless they have been re-nominated. Should a vacancy arise the relevant association shall appoint a replacement and advise the Honorary Secretary accordingly. A delegate shall not represent more than one Association of Clubs and shall not have more than one vote on any question. If a delegate is unable to attend any meeting of the Council then his Association may nominate a qualified proxy provided that the Honorary Secretary is notified in advance.
On the request of an Office Bearer the Council may authorise the setting up of an ad-hoc sub-committee to assist him in carrying out his duties.
The Council shall meet at least 6 times per year on dates as agreed by its members. At least seven days’ notice of each meeting must be given and nine members shall form a quorum. A secret ballot shall be taken on any issue if a motion to that effect is proposed, seconded and supported by a majority of those attending and voting.
The Council shall have power to fill vacancies pro term in any Office or Committee, to make by-laws for the acceleration of particular business during its year of office, to see that all the rules of the IBA are strictly adhered to and to appoint ad-hoc committees to address specific issues. Such ad-hoc committees shall elect their own convenors, fix a quorum and report promptly and fully to the Council. Final decisions on all matters shall however, rest with the Council.
The Office-bearers shall be ex-officio members, with full voting rights, on standing committees of the Council except for the International Selection, Finance and Competitions Committee.
8. Standing Committees
The Competitions Committee shall comprise the, the Honorary Competitions Secretary, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Assistant Secretary. It shall be responsible for the preparation, organisation and carrying into effect the IBA Cup competitions and the National Championships.
The Finance Committee shall comprise the Honorary Treasurer and one representative from each member Association. It shall meet as and when required by the Honorary Treasurer to consult and advise on matters relating to the financial affairs of the IBA, to make such recommendations as are deemed necessary and to report to the Council.
The International Selection Committee shall consist of the International Team Manager, Assistant International Team Manager and one representative from each member Association duly approved by Council. The High-Performance Coach may attend meetings and shall have voting rights.
Members of the Selection Committee need not be members of the Council but shall be appointed for their experience and knowledge of the game and players throughout the IBA. It is desirable that a prospective selector meets at least one of the following criteria:
Each member shall have one vote with the Chairman of Selectors having a casting vote. The Honorary Secretary, if not an elected member, shall be an ex-officio member, but without voting rights.
The Committee shall, at its first meeting in each year, elect a Chairman. The Chairman of selectors cannot be a member of the HP team. In the absence of the Chairman from any meeting, those present shall elect one of their number to act as Chairman for that meeting.
Each year one member at the top of a rota of association selectors shall retire but shall be eligible for re-election. The rota shall be: NIPGBL, NIPBA, ILB, NIBA and repeat.
No-one shall be elected to the Committee without his prior agreement to act and to travel with the team(s) as required.
In the event of a vacancy occurring the relevant Association shall submit to Council the name of the replacement.
The International Selection Committee shall have sole responsibility for selecting and arranging IBA international and representative teams for British Isles Events, Commonwealth Games, World Bowls, European Championships and any event organised by a body to which the IBA is affiliated.
A team selected by the High Performance Team for a High Performance event must be ratified by the International Selection Committee.
Selection of teams shall be by ballot and must be completed at least three weeks before the starting date of the relevant match or tournament. Where any member of the Selection Committee has a conflict of interest over a particular selection they will not be entitled to vote on that matter.
9. Eligibility to represent Ireland
Only bowlers of Irish parentage, or Irish-born, or those with at least one year residence in Ireland, shall be eligible for selection. Members of the International Selection Committee shall not be eligible to play in IBA international or representative teams except in cases of emergency.
Members of the International Selection Committee who attend matches for which they were responsible for team selection shall have control of the team with full powers to make any changes considered necessary.
10. Representation on Bodies
The Honorary Secretary shall be the IBA’s representative to World Bowls Ltd and the British Isles Bowls organizing committee.
The Honorary Secretary and the Honorary Treasurer shall be the IBA’s representatives to the following bodies:
11. General Meetings and Special General Meetings
The Annual and Special General Meetings of the IBA shall be composed of the members of the Council and one delegate from each of the affiliated clubs. This delegate shall be in addition to any club member who might be in attendance as a member of Council. A member of the Council shall not be appointed, nor act, as a delegate of a club at any General Meeting or Special General Meeting. Seven days’ notice of all General Meetings and Special General Meetings shall be given and twenty members shall form a quorum.
The Annual General Meeting shall be held on a Saturday in December each year, the date, time and place to be arranged by the Council.
The business of the meeting shall be to:
Notices of Motion to be debated at the AGM must be received in writing by the Honorary Secretary no later than 31 October.
At all General Meetings a Notice of Motion may be proposed by a member other than the person in whose name it stands, provided that the Honorary Secretary has been notified previously. An amendment to a Notice of Motion may be moved provided that it does not alter the spirit of the Motion. A secret ballot may be taken on any issue if a motion to that effect be proposed, seconded and supported by a majority of those present and voting.
A Special General Meeting may be summoned at the discretion of the Council or on a requisition
to the Honorary Secretary from an affiliated Club. The Honorary Secretary shall call the meeting within twenty one days of the summons of requisition and shall state on the agenda the business for which the meeting has been called and no other business shall be transacted at that meeting.
Only Council may call an SGM to consider a motion seeking a change to the Constitution. Clubs and Associations can only submit such motions to the A G M or to Council for consideration and submission on their behalf.
Decisions at a General Meeting shall be on the basis of a majority vote with the Chairman having a casting vote in the event of a tied vote.
12. Interpretation and Clarification
Disputes or requests for clarification in respect of the IBA’s Constitution and Rules shall be referred, in writing, to the Honorary Secretary for clarification by the Council, whose decision shall be final.
Should a dispute arise as to the meaning or interpretation of any of the IBA’s Championship and Competitions Rules, By-laws or the Laws of the Game, or upon any relevant point not covered by them, any of the parties to the dispute may appeal to the IBA, as prescribed below, provided that all parties to the dispute are members of the IBA.
The determination of all such appeals shall be a matter for the Council whose decision shall be final.
Notice of appeal, including a full statement of the matter(s) in dispute, must be given in writing to the Honorary Secretary within three days of the dispute arising. The notice of appeal must be accompanied by a deposit of £100 Sterling.
On receipt of an appeal, the Honorary Secretary shall call a meeting of Council to consider the issues and, if it considers it necessary or expedient, the Council may hear parties from each side of the dispute. The Council shall have power to remit the examination of any case to a committee which shall submit a full report and recommendations to the Council. The Council’s decision, including whether the deposit lodged should be returned or forfeited, shall be notified immediately to all parties concerned by the Honorary Secretary.
13. Resolution of Disputes
When a charge or complaint involving an offence not dealt with under any other IBA Rule has been lodged in writing with the Honorary Secretary, the Council is empowered, after seven days’ notice to the parties concerned, to investigate and establish the facts and, where it considers it necessary, the
examination of witnesses and relevant documentary evidence. Should the charge or complaint be upheld Council may impose an appropriate sanction which might include the suspension, or determination, of the membership of any Association of Clubs, or club, or member thereof.
However, any such Association, club, or member shall have a right of appeal to a General Meeting of the IBA, provided that the appeal is in writing, signed and lodged with the Honorary Secretary within fourteen days of receipt of the council’s decision. Such an appeal shall state the grounds(s) on which it is made. The decision of the Council shall be suspended until the General Meeting has ruled and the decision of the General Meeting, which will be on the basis of a majority vote of those attending and voting, shall be final.
14. Laws of the Game
The code of Laws of the Game as formulated by the World Bowls Board- with amendments approved by a General Meeting of the IBA for use in domestic competitions – and the rules governing the IBA championships and competitions shall all be binding on all constituent clubs of the IBA.
15. Competitions and Tournaments
Except for competitions organized directly by the IBA or one of its Associations of Clubs, and those confined solely to members of the organizing club, all competitions and tournaments, must be licensed by the IBA and must comply with the Laws of the Game.
Applications for tournament licenses, together with the appropriate fee in accordance with the scale approved by the IBA, must be received by the Honorary Secretary at least 30 days before the commencement of the tournament. This requirement shall be strictly enforced. Licence application forms shall be available from the Honorary Secretary. The licence number should be printed on the tournament entry form(s). Where the competition is for charitable purposes a license is required but no fee shall be payable.
Any player taking part in an unlicensed event shall be suspended from taking part in all forms of bowling organized by, or under the auspices of, the IBA for such period as the Council shall determine.
Organizers of tournaments are urged to make use of the services of qualified umpires/markers, especially in the final stages of tournaments.
16. International Competitions
No player may represent Ireland in any tournament, competition or exhibition game without the prior written approval of the IBA. Any player contravening this rule shall be suspended from taking part in all forms of bowling organized by, or under the control of, the IBA for such period as the Council shall determine.
All applications for approval must be received by the Honorary Secretary at least one month before the starting date of the tournament, competition or exhibition game.
17. Doping
The Anti-Doping Rules of the Irish Bowling Association are the Irish Anti- Doping Rules. All member Associations and all members of clubs affiliated which have been circulated to each club, as amended from time to time and the disciplinary procedures and sanctions contained therein that are compliant with World Anti-Doping Agency regulations.
18. Safeguarding
The IBA is fully committed to safeguarding the well-being of all its members. Every individual in its member Associations and Clubs should, at all times, show respect for and understanding of the rights, safety and welfare of others, and particularly young people and vulnerable adults and conduct himself in a way which reflects the principles of the IBA and the guidelines set out in the IBA’s Safeguarding policy.
19. Indemnity
Members of the Council, its Standing Committees and any ad-hoc committee appointed by the Council shall be indemnified by the Association against all costs, losses and expenses which they may incur, or may become liable for, by reason of any contract entered into or act or thing done in good faith in accordance with the instructions of the Council, or a General Meeting of the Association. It shall be the duty of the IBA to make provision for such costs, losses and expenses to be met out of its funds, or otherwise.
20. Alterations
Alterations or additions to the Constitution and Rules of the IBA shall not be made except by a Notice of Motion passed by a majority of the members present and voting at an AGM or a Special General Meeting
21. Policies and Procedures
All policies and procedures posted on the IBA website form part of the rules and regulations governing the operation of the IBA.
