A North Tyneside bowls club has received one of the sport’s highest national honours after being named Bowls England’s Club of the Year 2025.
Crawford Park Bowling Club, in Monkseaton, was recognised for its welcoming atmosphere, strong community spirit, and the high standard of its facilities.
A key factor in the club’s success has been the quality of its bowling green, maintained by North Tyneside Council’s Grounds Maintenance team.
Following a review of maintenance practices two years ago, the Council introduced improvements to strengthen the playing surfaces and ensure greens across the borough remain in excellent condition, supporting local clubs to grow and compete at the highest level.
The club also received backing from the council’s Active North Tyneside community fund to host their family fun day.
At the same time, the club has worked to become more inclusive and accessible, nearly doubling its membership in the past year and attracting more women, families, and new players. Funding secured by the club has supported improvements to the clubhouse, including step-free access and accessible facilities so people of all abilities can take part.
Club Secretary Brian Bell said: “I would like to thank North Tyneside Council for all their support. I was delighted to accept the Club of the Year award on behalf of our members. We are a friendly and enthusiastic club that is passionate about giving people of any age in the community the opportunity to try bowls. We will be having free taster sessions once our Green reopens in April - visit our Facebook page or website for details.”
Councillor Hannah Johnson, North Tyneside Council’s Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Libraries, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the club and a proud moment for North Tyneside. Bowls clubs play an important role in bringing people together and helping people stay active, and this award reflects the dedication of everyone involved. We’re proud to support clubs like Crawford Park and to have teams whose work helps them flourish.”
The Bowls England Awards celebrate clubs that make an exceptional contribution to the sport and their communities, with winners selected from across the country.
Crawford Park has been at the heart of the Monkseaton community for more than a century. Created in the 1920s as the surrounding streets were developed, the park was laid out with lawns, tennis courts and a bowling green, and its basic design remains largely unchanged today.
Originally owned by Whitley and Monkseaton Urban District Council, the park is now maintained by North Tyneside Council and continues to host regular matches and tournaments, with Crawford Park Bowling Club at the centre of its sporting life.