What Changed?
Maintaining the traditional round-robin competition, the new format is moving to short fast games that can be played within a 90 minute time limit.
Singles
As an international qualifier to the World Champion of Champions, Singles will consider the World Bowls conditions of play. Using 2023 as an example, this would look like:
- 4 bowls per competitor
- For round robin play: three sets of five ends with all three sets being played. A one end tie breaker will be used if the set is tied after five ends.
- For knock out or medal rounds, only the best two of three sets need to be played. A one-end tie breaker will be used if the set is tied after five ends.
Team games
- 3 bowls per competitor in Pairs
- 2 bowls per competitor in Triples and Fours
- 2 sets, 5 ends per set with 1 end tiebreaker if the number of sets won is tied.
Eight teams will compete in a five-aside style of play that sees a team of five players compete in four events: singles/fours and pairs/triples., Additionally, Youth and Para bowlers will compete in singles.
Should there be withdrawal in an event, Ontario will be offered the first right of refusal to send a second team to fill the vacancy. If vacancies still remain, a wild card system will be used until all vacancies are filled.
Why Change?
The world has changed where games in all sports are being modified to become shorter, faster, and more appealing to spectators. Emerging formats across other bowls nations were analyzed against a criteria of: fun to play, meaningful to compete in, exciting to watch and easier to broadcast. Additionally, it is recognized that changes on the world stage will likely be appearing sooner than later, this was an opportune time to give Canada an advantage in playing the new formats.
Feedback from players of nationals over the last years indicated the need for more meaningful competition and the desire to ensure that a minimum number of games would be guaranteed at an event. Shorter games and sets play allow for a round robin tournament with multiple events to be played efficiently at a single venue. This increases spectator and marketing appeal of the event and also reduces stress on the host venue.
A possible schedule for the event, with either a 4-green complex or two 2-green facilities co-hosting, would look like this:
