About Clovelly Bowling & Recreation Club
The History of Clovelly Bowling and Recreation Club
Our Club was established in 1947 with an Inauguration ceremony that was held on 15th June by our Foundation President John F Burrows who was to remain President until1951.
On 13th January 1949 Greens 1 and 2 were ready to be played upon and in February construction commenced on our original Club House which was officially opened in May of 1951.
Initially only men could play bowls at Clovelly. In 1955, women who were wives of male bowling members were given permission to form a Women’s Club – no longer just the Ladies Auxillary. They played their first game on January 10 th 1956.
Since then, the Clovelly women bowlers have proven themselves to be formidable opponents. They continue to prove themselves at both Regional and State level competitions.
In early 2023 the then Board of the CB&RC took the decision to turn the Top Green (3) into a Synthetic Green. This would allow for greater certainty for Barefoot Bowls to be played throughout the year. The Synthetic Green was completed in late 2024.
Since its inception Lawn Bowls have been consistently played at the site and to this day the Club is still going strong with with not only a Lawn Bowls Club but a Bocce Bowls Club as well.
Barefoot Bowls is played throughout the year.
Clovelly Bowling Club Through The Years
Clovelly Women's Bowling Club
The History of Clovelly Women’s Bowling Club
The inaugural meeting of the club was held on August 29th 1955 after permission was granted to the Ladies Auxiliary to form a Womens Club. The meeting was chaired by Mrs B French and was attended by about 30 ladies. It was agreed the playing day would be a Tuesday.
The Clovelly Womens Bowling Club played their first game of bowls on January 10th 1956 and was officially opened on March 5th 1957 by the then State President Mrs Wolinski who rolled the first jack.
To become a Member of Clovelly Womens Bowling Club, the women had to have their husbands as a member of the Men’s club. No single ladies were allowed.
The uniform was an all white dress, hat, cardigan and bowling shoes. The only jewellery allowed were wedding and engagement rings and a watch. No other jewellery was allowed. Our uniform had to be 14 inches from the ground and was measured regularly by the President of the day to ensure it was the correct length. Many years later, the Women’s Club was granted permission to wear navy pants suits in winter.
Since then, times have changed and progressed and Bowls NSW a gave permission for all clubs to display their own individuality by adopting their own uniforms which highlights their club and district.
Clovelly has 3 excellent greens and all 3 greens are utilised for the Friend’s Day and the Seaside Carnival which are held annually.
Women’s Bowling Day is Tuesday; morning tea at 9:30am and play by 10:00am.
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