Balaia Bowls Club News and Events 2024

UPDATE - TOURING TEAM VISITS OCTOBER 2024

Names are now being taken. Balaia members have been sent an email from Jill with the dates on which names are still required. If you have not see this, please email vice-captain(at)balaiabowls.org - replace (at) with @ of course.

Balaia Club Members will be sharing the load with Valverde members for this huge programme of touring team visits. These games are ideal preparation for the winter league season ahead. Put these dates in your diary NOW. I have copied them from the Valverde BC website and have removed two games where local players will not be needed.

NEW LEAGUE SEASON 2024 - 2025

The club has entered the Bowls Algarve League for the winter 2024 - 2025 season. Those games will be played on SATURDAY mornings. It's a long season of twenty matches. We have also entered a team in the Super 10's competition, which will mostly be played on Thursdays during January and February 2025. That will be a further eight competitive matches.This will allow as many members as we can fit in to play at least one competitive match each week. For those who don't know, the Super 10's consists of matches home and away against the other member clubs. The format is two pairs and two triples. That needs ten players. Which is why is is called Super 10's. League fixtures and in time the results here.

A large number of touring teams will be visiting during September and October, ideal pre-season preparation for us (and our hosts at Valverde) before the winter league season begins in mid October. The call will go out for players in due course. Visitors are more than welcome to swell the numbers. More information here as and when available.

CLUB COMPETITIONS 2024 - 2025

Details have been circulated. Closing date for entries is Monday 30th September. We intend to hold a men's pairs and mixed pairs as a league competition as last year, plus the single day short format singles which proved a popular innovation. All members have been sent an invitation. If you have not received yours or wish to join the club and take part, please contact competitions-secretary(at)balaiabowls.org - replace (at) with @

PLAYING TARIFF AT VALVERDE

It was agreed at a meeting between the two committees that playing fees for Balaia Bowls Club members will, with immediate effect, fall into line with those paid by members of Valverde BC.

Pay as you go - €85 a year plus €8 per game. Three months, including all match fees, €175; six months €270; Annual €420. VISITORS to the club will pay €12 per match. All payments MUST be in cash, on the day.

Memberships will have the added benefit to Balaia members of membership of Valverde BC with all rights and privileges included. As a Valverde member, you will be eligible to enter their competitions.

BALAIA BOWLING GREEN IS NOW A PUTTING GREEN

Picture taken April 8th - click or tap to see full size

BALAIA BOWLING GREEN TUESDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2024

These pictures were taken this morning, before the Committee Meeting. It's a public holiday today, so no-one was working. I was able to get a better look than before. It is clear now that what is being built between the green and the big white wall of the building behind is a turning circle for cars and a little lay-by for perhaps two or three parking spaces. A fire hydrant has appeared on one corner of the green where the water pumping mechanism once stood. This work has cut away another corner of the green, which was not expected. That whole work area is very close to what would be the edge of the green. The trench along the side has been filled, but there are all sorts of pipes and cables laying around. The good news is that the grass is still being cut - you will see the mower in a couple of the pictures.  Elsewhere, construction of the roads on either side of the driving range continues.

To see a larger version of the pictures, please click or tap. The situation was discussed in Committee. All members have been sent the notes of the meeting.

BOWLS ALGARVE INTER-CLUB OPEN PAIRS RESULT

Monday 5th February - Frances and Jill, defending their title, reached this season's semi final with a 21 - 11 win over Susan Kinane and Greer Hogg from Floresta.
They were defeated in the semi-final 23- 10 by Nick Gooch and Mark Richards of Pedras BC.

Balaia Bowls Club Christmas lunch 22nd December 2023

An excellent gathering, enjoyed by all, at Restaurante O Lavrador near Boliqueime. A raffle raised €210 for our charity, the Albufeira Food Bank. Click or tap a picture to see a larger size.
That concluded our activities for 2023. The bowling season resumes on 3rd January 2024.

Balaia Bowls Club Christmas rollup Thursday 21st December 2023 - and the green that same day.

click or tap for a larger size - we were at Valverde as our green remains closed Not all members could be present. Afterwards we repaired to the Balaia clubhouse for a drink. Whose jumper is the best?

click or tap to see a larger size. The shed has gone and the first excavations between the green and the wall of the adjacent property are under way. The grass was still being cut, a good sign. But so it proved otherwise!