About Yorkshire Ladies
Celebrating the history, achievements, and community of women’s bowls across Yorkshire.
Who we are
Whether you are a committed, competitive lady bowler or just love to be involved in social bowling you will find a warm Yorkshire welcome amongst the Yorkshire Ladies.
Our two County teams (Northern Trophy and Stella Logan) play regularly on a Friday throughout the outdoor bowling season against Cumbria, Durham and Northumbria.
We also have friendly matches against other close counties such as Lancashire, and a few friendly inter-county matches amongst ladies from affiliated clubs in the County.
Our ladies have an annual luncheon and presentation of trophies which is a very good way to meet other lady bowlers.
In addition we hold an annual Spring and Autumn meeting to which lady bowlers from all County affiliated clubs are invited. This is another good way to find out what is going on in the County and to meet other lady bowlers.
If you just want help on club issues we have a very good support network regarding greens, fundraising, recruitment of members, club structure and running of clubs including safeguarding and disciplinary issues, etc.
For help or any enquiries (no such thing as a silly question!), please contact our Ladies' Secretary:
Liz Pollard, secretaryycba@gmail.com
Hope to see you on the green.
Message from Ladies President
Hi Ladies
I must say what an honour it is to be Yorkshire Ladies President for 2026. I never dreamed I would hold this position but I am really looking forward to the season and meeting everyone. Hopefully we can continue the success that we had last year.
For those who don’t know me very well I first tried bowling for one season when I was 15. As I come from a large family (1 brother and 5 sisters) this was the perfect way to spend a bit of quality time with my father who was a bowler. I found that I really enjoyed it but due to work commitments I couldn’t continue playing. After a long break I took bowls up again. It wasn’t until I took early retirement in 2021 that I threw myself into bowling entering competitions and nominating to play for Yorkshire and I can say that that was the best thing I have done as I have made some wonderful friends.
I would like to thank Guisborough KGV for nominating me and for their continuous support.
I wish you all a successful and happy season for 2026.
Best wishes
Wendy
Women's Sub-Committee
Wendy Pickard
Ladies' President
Guisborough KGV
Jane Simpson
Ladies' Team Manager
Selby
Liz Pollard
Ladies' Secretary
Driffield Rec
Helen Walker
Ladies' Competition Secretary
Thirsk Athletic
Bernie Hill
Selector South
South Cave
Margaret Watson
Selector East
Tina Robinson
Selector West
Copmanthorpe
Anna Naughton
Ladies Vice President
Northallerton
Mick O'Donnell
County Safeguarding Officer
York Railway B&SC
Cressida Fordy
Youth Manager (both)
Northallerton
Sylvia Thacker
Selector North
Borough Park
Janet Farnsworth
Selector East
Nafferton
Pauline Beecroft
Selector West
Bishop Monkton
Women's Competitions
Women’s county competitions offer opportunities for bowlers at every level to take part, develop their skills, and represent their clubs with pride
Visit the Competitions section to see all competitions open to women including the chance to become a Yorkshire Champion, and for some competitions, to get to the Bowls England National Finals in Leamington.
Women's County Teams
Yorkshire Ladies proudly support a range of county teams competing at regional and national level. Women who are interested in representing Yorkshire at county level are warmly encouraged to put themselves forward for selection. The section operates an open and transparent process, and bowlers of all ages and experience levels are welcome to express their interest. Selectors consider performance, commitment, development potential and team balance when forming squads throughout the season.
Yorkshire Ladies compete in five county team competitions each season: the Northern Trophy, Stella Logan, John's Trophy, Walker Cup, and the O60s Mixed Inter County.
The Northern Trophy and Stella Logan are played within the Northern Counties league — a collective of five northern counties: Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria, Yorkshire, and Lancashire. These competitions provide regular, competitive fixtures throughout the season but do not lead to the National Championships at Leamington Spa.
The John's Trophy, Walker Cup, and O60s Mixed Inter County are national Bowls England competitions. Success through the rounds can lead to the semi-finals and final at the National Championships at Royal Leamington Spa.
County Team Selection
Nominations for all Ladies county teams are invited through club representatives from all female members of clubs affiliated to Bowls Yorkshire.
Selection is decided by the Ladies Selection Committee, which consists of two standing selectors — the Ladies Team Manager and the Ladies Competition Secretary — along with up to six elected selectors. The current Ladies President and Ladies Secretary also attend each selection meeting.
Selection meetings are held in early February for the Northern Trophy and Stella Logan, and in early May for the John's Trophy, Walker Cup, and O60s Mixed Inter County. Players are notified of their placement following each meeting.
Full details of each competition — including format, fixtures, and travel arrangements — can be found on the individual team pages.