Bowls International – August 2026

Summary

Charlie Beeton made history at the British Bowls Championships, and the August 2026 issue of Bowls International (Issue 543, £5.20) leads with his landmark junior singles haul on pages 29–40. Ceris Hewlings's editor's note sets the scene at the National Centre of Bowling in Ayr, where the British Bowls Championships ran alongside the International Series for para bowls for the first time. A dedicated pull-out supplement covers all three events.

Tom Hamilton, chairman of the World Bowls Para Committee, gives a wide-ranging interview on pages 6–7 about the future of para bowls under the World Bowls banner. The Australian Open champions are crowned on pages 20–27, and Mark Cohen receives the IIIBC presidential honour on pages 18–19. The coaching section offers Ellen Falkner MBE's guidance on building coach credibility (pages 50–52) and a "Redders' Review" on attitudes and perception (pages 42–45). A Drakes Pride competition offers one reader a set of Camo-Bowls worth £520.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Championships

p.29-40 · BRITISH BOWLS
A hattrick for England women and Charlie Beeton's historic junior singles achievement headline this year's British Bowls Championships. Bowls Scotland hosted the event at the National Centre of Bowling in Ayr, with the International Series for para bowls integrated alongside the main draw for the first time. Club selectors can study the winning performances as benchmarks for their own junior development pathways.

▸ Interviews

p.6-7 · TOM HAMILTON
The World Bowls Para Committee chairman discusses the future of para bowls and what the World Bowls umbrella means for classification, funding and competition pathways. Disabled bowlers and programme coordinators need this update on the sport's governance shift.

p.10-11 · TOM WARNER
The new PBA UK chairman outlines his priorities for the Professional Bowls Association's domestic arm. PBA members can gauge what changes to expect under his leadership.

p.18-19 · MARK COHEN
Coverage of Cohen receiving the IIIBC presidential honour, recognising his service to international bowls. A record of a significant administrative milestone for the sport's historians.

▸ Tournaments

p.14 · WORLD BOWLS SERIES
The new female No 1 in the World Bowls Series rankings is confirmed. Competitive players tracking world rankings should update their seeding notes.

p.20-27 · AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Champions crowned at the Australian Open, one of the sport's most competitive annual tournaments. The results give a clear picture of form lines heading into the second half of the year.

▸ Coaching

p.42-45 · REDDERS' REVIEW
A deep look at attitudes and perception in bowls coaching, examining how mindset affects player development. Coaches can apply the feedback frameworks described here to their own squad sessions.

p.50-52 · ELLEN FALKNER MBE
Building coach credibility is the subject of this feature by the experienced coach and former international. The practical steps for earning players' trust are directly transferable to any club coaching setup.

▸ Regulars

p.28 · POTTERS NEWS
Resort activity round-up with the £100 per person discount code BWLINT for bowls breaks. Booking windows for Norfolk and Essex locations are open.

p.41 · LEGENDS AND HEROES
A clarification on a Jersey name that had been in dispute, settling the record for historians and genealogists.

p.51-52 · ALL ABOUT THE FRIENDS
Kingswood top rank coverage and ongoing Friends of English Bowling activities. Members should check the updated roster.

p.58-66 · HOT SHOTS
The latest bumper list of Hot Shots winners, with full names and clubs.

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Editor's Take

The August 2026 issue lands at the peak of the British summer bowls calendar, and the British Bowls Championships coverage — especially Charlie Beeton's historic junior haul — justifies the cover price alone. The Tom Hamilton interview on para bowls gives genuine insight into a governance transition that will affect the sport for years. Weakest sections: the Legends and Heroes page runs too short to feel substantial, and the Potters News reads more like advertorial than journalism. Still, this is a strong mid-year issue because it balances major tournament results (British, Australian Open) with practical coaching content and a clear-eyed look at para bowls' future. Best suited to competitive players, coaches and anyone invested in bowls' governance evolution.

Strengths
• British Bowls Championships coverage with Charlie Beeton's historic junior achievement
• Tom Hamilton interview clarifies para bowls' new World Bowls structure
• Ellen Falkner MBE coaching feature delivers practical credibility-building tools

Weaknesses
• Legends and Heroes page is too brief to add real value
• Potters News reads heavily as advertorial

Verdict: Recommended — a solid mid-year package anchored by strong championship reporting and a significant governance interview.