Wales will host another world class sporting event this May when the 2019 World Bowls Atlantic Championships welcomes bowlers from across the globe.

The elite level event, which has previously been hosted in Cyprus and South Africa, will take place between Friday 10th and Thursday 23rd May at four South Wales locations.

More than 20 nations, including the likes of Spain, Argentina, Turkey, Brazil and Kenya will bring male and female teams for what promises to be a fiercely contested competition.

The nation was gripped by Bowls fever during Wales’s record-breaking medal hunt at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Daniel Salmon and Marc Wyatt stunned Scotland to claim gold in the men’s pairs before Laura Daniels earned a women’s singles silver and the duo of Gilbert Miles and Julie Thomas took bronze in the B2/B3 Bowls.

Thousands of spectators will have the opportunity to experience world class Bowls live– as Wales welcomes a prestigious bowling event for the first time.

The tournament will take place over 12 days and across four venues in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and Event Manager Alun Hodges is relishing the opportunity to bring the best lawn bowls players in the world to Wales.

Alun Hodges, Event Manager for the Atlantic Championships, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to be bringing the World Bowls Atlantic Championships to Wales. The country has become a world-renowned sporting location and we hope bowls can make a similar impact on Wales’ rich sporting landscape. “I have witnessed the growth of Bowls in Wales first-hand during my nine years as an international selector and subsequent roles as International Team Manager during the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2016 World Championships. I’m thrilled to be leading the team who will bring this event to four venues across South Wales to put bowls firmly in the hearts and minds of the sports mad Welsh public.”

Terry Hopkins, Welsh Bowling Association Secretary, added:

“The world’s best bowlers will be competing at clubs in Penylan, Dinas Powys, Barry and Penarth (Windsor) and it is hoped that showcasing the nations first-rate facilities will put Wales in a strong position to put forward a bid for future World Bowls Championships.”

Welsh Government Minister for International Relations, Eluned Morgan, said:

“This will be the first ever time that the Atlantic Championships competition comes to the UK and what better places to do it than in Wales. Having one off the highest profile bowls tournaments will allow a unique opportunity to promote the sport and also allow young enthusiasts an up close and personal experience of watching some of the best bowls players from the world go head to head throughout Cardiff and the Vale.”

Wales Ladies Team Manager and Organising Committee Member, Hazel Wilson, said:

“I am thrilled Wales is hosting the World Bows Atlantic Championships. In my Team Manager role, I and players have experienced the wonderful hospitality of other countries whilst we have attended World Bowls events and now it is our chance to showcase Wales. I am looking forward to welcoming everyone to Wales and hope it is the first of many events we as a country can host. “The Welsh players are all looking forward to the Championships and it is a great opportunity for our supporters, bowlers and non-bowlers of all ages to come and see this multi-national event within lawn bowls and to see our players compete against some of the best players in the world.”

The World Bowls Atlantic Championships 2019 is organised and funded by Welsh Bowls Association in association with Welsh Government and Run 4 Wales.

Purchase spectator tickets or check out the tournament schedule at www.welshbowls.co.uk. Day tickets, priced at just £5 allow you to experience world-class live bowls across any of the four venues whilst discounted 14 Day Tournament Passes, priced at £50 allows access to any game throughout the tournament. Tickets for Under 16s are free of charge.