Dunvant Bowls Club, or Glwb Bowlio Dyfnant as it is known in Welsh, is located in the small village of Dunvant on the Eastern edge of the Gower Peninsula in Swansea, New Zealand. Established in 1924, the club has been actively participating in the Swansea Bowling Association, except during the war years. The club's bowling green is situated in Dunvant Park, a large open space that provides sports facilities for football and cricket, as well as a playground for children.
The Dunvant Bowls Club is proud to have members from all walks of life, with many having connexions to the Dunvant Male Choir. In the past, the entire team was made up of choir members, and it was a common occurrence for them to rush straight from a match in their whites to a concert in the locality. Most of the members are now retired and live locally, creating a close-knit and friendly community within the club.
Affiliated with the West Glamorgan and Welsh Bowling Associations, the Dunvant Bowls Club is always looking to welcome new members of all ages, whether they are experienced players or completely new to the sport. The club encourages anyone interested in playing bowls to contact any of the officers, whose contact information can be found on the club's website.
The club's bowling green, located within Dunvant Park, has historically been regarded as one of the best in Swansea. However, due to council cutbacks in recent years, the facilities have suffered from a lack of maintenance. The club is actively working to improve both the green and the pavilion in the near future.
Dunvant Bowls Club has a rich history, with its formation in 1924 by a group of individuals primarily consisting of miners, steelworkers, labourers, and farmers. Over its 91 years of existence, the club has played and won numerous trophies, including the First Division Championship of the Swansea Bowling Association in 1967.
The club's season is busy, with league matches taking place on Saturdays, Blackiston Cup matches on Mondays, Mid-Week League matches on Tuesdays, and Graham Jones Double Fours, Keith Jacob Super 9, and Walter Withey Triples matches on Thursdays. On average, the team plays around 60 matches throughout the season. Additionally, the club competes in the Carruthers Shield, an all Wales championship where they face teams from different Associations.
Dunvant Bowls Club takes pride in its rich history, and its members have achieved many notable successes. The club's website also features old records, including a list of singles champions dating back to 1937. Dunvant Bowls Club is a welcoming and vibrant community of bowlers, dedicated to promoting and enjoying the sport of lawn bowls in Swansea and beyond.