The British Isles Indoor Bowls U25 Men’s International Series will be hosted in Durham next month. Supported by Durham County Council and Visit County Durham, the English Indoor Bowling Association (EIBA) tournament will take place at Stanley Indoor Bowls Centre at 9.30am on 15-16 February, raising Durham’s profile as a county recognised for hosting sporting events and encouraging local communities to get involved.

The event will see teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales compete in a round robin tournament with 6 top-class matches over the two days to determine the British Isles Champions.

Admission is via programme which is to be purchased for £3.00 on the day.

This is the first time that Stanley IBC, which successfully hosted the British Isles U18s and the prestigious Men’s and Women’s International Series & Championships four times, has hosted this tournament.

Durham County Council and Visit County Durham are valuable support partners in the hosting of the event, along with promoting bowls as a sport for the local community in the weeks and months after the event.

Peter Thompson, Chief Executive of the EIBA, said “we are delighted to use Stanley Indoor Bowls Centre again to host a major International tournament. The Club facilities are excellent for the players, officials and spectators. Also, we can expect the members of the club and the local community to attend and provide great support to all the teams competing, and we are grateful of the support Durham County Council, Visit County Durham and the Stanley Directors / Staff in the planning and running of the event.”

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for regeneration, who is also councillor for Stanley, added: “We’re delighted that on the back of the massive success we enjoyed hosting Cricket World Cup matches at Chester-le-Street, we’re once again able to help bring international class sport to County Durham.

“Events like this can only help raise awareness of the county and bring in visitors who will spend money in local businesses and potentially return once they’ve seen everything we have to offer.

“Speaking as a local lad, I’m sure Stanley will give a warm welcome to this tournament and everyone who will be visiting for it.”

Michelle Gorman, Managing Director from Visit County Durham said “We’re thrilled that Durham has been chosen by the EIBA as the host destination for this major international indoor bowling tournament. Not only does this raise our profile as a destination known for hosting global sporting events, but it also encourages local communities to get involved in the tournament, which in turn boosts the county’s visitor economy”.

Cover photo: Peter Thompson, chairman of EIBA, Brian Harris, President of Stanley Indoor Bowls Club, Cllr Carl Marshall, Michelle Gorman, managing director of Visit County Durham, Brett Arkley, Stanley Bowls