Revival of Alwood Shield

The company are also throwing their weight behind it by sponsoring it to the tremendous extent of £1,200 prize money.

The Alwood Shield was donated originally in 1968 by the company’s founder and well-known bowler, the late Alfred Briggs.

The aim of the associated competition was to bring together clubs to compete for the trophy against each other at the highest level of the sport of bowls in Northern Ireland.

The late Alfred Briggs’ bowling passion still remains in the Briggs family with his son, Alan, dedicating much of his time to the sport.

Alan brought together two well known bowlers, Alan Roberts and George Richardson to from a Steering Group to bring the competition into being again. It’s to be known as an Invitation Inter-Club Charity Challenge Competition for the “Alwood Shield.”

The Steering Group has been working hard in recent weeks to put together competition rules and arrangements for what promises to be a very exciting one for all participating clubs.

Its members were present with Alfie Briggs, Development Manager, at the Alwood premises for the official launch of the tournament earlier last week after which it has been full steam ahead to finalise the competition without losing sight of its original aim.

Invitations, with competition rules, are on their way to clubs within a specified area with entries, accompanied by a registration fee of £15, to be returned to Alan Roberts, Competition Secretary by Saturday, May 15.

Money raised from registration fees and rink fees of £10 per rink per night, after running expenses are covered, will be donated to the Meningitis Trust, which is the sponsor’s chosen charity.

Ten clubs will be drawn to compete in a two league format over a two-week period from August 6-17 inclusive with the winners of each league playing each other in a grand final at the Lurgan Green. The remaining teams will be placed in a drawn reserve list to be on call if there are any late withdrawals.

A spokesman for the Steering Group said: “There is great excitement in bowling circles surrounding what proposes to be a great tournament and which will have the potential to greatly raise the profile of the sport in the Craigavon area and beyond.”

He was also delighted at Alfred Briggs (Alwood) Ltd’s foresight in reviving what has been a previously successful competition in which top bowlers had the pleasure of participation, and was also thrilled with their very generous sponsorship which will influence top teams to take part.